T r 


€-!<zon  E\  P/y 


ps 


UNIVERSITY  COVERS 

Sizes,  Bindings,  Etc. 


Sizes 

Style 

Full  Art  Cloth 

Half  Leather 

Half  Russia 
Skiver  Cloth 

6y&  X 37A 

Open  End 

3780 

3790 

3890 

7'A  X 4 H 

Open  End 

3781 

3791 

3891 

*%  x 5 % 

Open  End 

3783 

3793 

3893 

9X  X 7‘A 

Open  E*d 

37  85 

3795 

3895 

m x 4 a 

Open  End 

3787 

3797 

3897 

103/  x 8K 

Open  End 

3780 

3799 

3899 

6A  x 8 ys 

Open  Side 

3782 

3792 

3892 

7~/i  X 9 U 

Open  Side 

3784 

3794 

3894 

8;4  x iox 

Open  Side 

3780 

3796 

3896 

Patented  November  8,  1892 
Sole  Manufacturers  /or  the  Patentee 

NATIONAL  BLANK  BOOK  CO. 
Holyoke,  : : Mass. 

52  Duane  St.,  New  York  City 


Mat  o 


'SchooLi  //■ 


RING 


The  Best  Fastening 
Device  To  Use  in 
Connection 
with 

University  Covers 


THE  FLAT  SIDE  PERMITS  COVER 
TO  LI  F FLAT  ON  DESK  WHEN  IN  USE. 


Order  from  JOBBERS  AND  STATIONERS 


PK. 


ps 


TECHNICAL  NOTES 


PREPARED  FOR  THE 


SCHOOL  OF  MILITARY  AERONAUTICS 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ILLINOIS 


BY 

THE  TECHNICAL  STAFF 


H.  W.  MILLER,  Capt.  Ord.  Dept., 
Pres.  Academic  Board 


0.  S.  Beyer 
P.  S.  Biegler 
J.  W.  Davis 
E.  N.  Fales 

1.  W.  Fisk 

H.  F.  Godeke 

G.  A.  Gros 

C.  M.  Hebbert 

H.  O.  SlEGMUND 


E.  A.  Holbrook 
W.  H.  Hyslop 
H.  H. Jordan 
C.  E,  Phelps 

G.  W.  Pickels 

F.  M.  Porter 

G.  H.  Radebaugh 
F.  B.  Seeley 

L.  A.  Wilson 


MACHINE  GUN 

STAFF:  G.  H.  Radebaugh 

G.  A.  Gros 
F.  B:  Seeley 
C.  E.  Phelps 

H.  O.  Siegmund 


TZ-w^i 

u>P.2. 

PREFACE 


) 


On  May  21 , 
School  of  Military 
nois  was  organized 


1917,  tile  ins  true  t ional  staff  of  the 
Aeronautics  of  the  University  of  inl- 
and preliminary  plans  drawn  up  for  the 
technical  instruction.  The  staff  was  divided  into  groups 
to  teach  the  various  subjects,  and  the  work  on  the  notes 
was  begun  in  preparation  for  the  first  class  which  would 
begin  its  technical  instruction  on  June  11. 

It  was  planned  to  prepare  comprehensive  outlines  of 
the  work  in  each  subject  for  each  week  and  at  the  same  time 
to  look  forward  to  the  preparation  of  a complete  set  of 
Rotes  which  would  be  furnished  in  time  to  give  to  the  first 
graduating  class. 

Necessarily  the  work  has  been  very  hastily  done  and 
only  through  laborious  revision  will  the  notes  be  put  into 
shape  satisfactory  to  us.  All  material  that  has  been 
available  either  to  the  government  or  to  the  individual 
members  of  the  instructional  staff  has  been  used  in  their 
preparation,  and  illustrations  used  wherever  available  and 
advisable.  It  has  been  necessary  in  some  cases  to  copy 
material  directly  from  notes,  pamphlets  and  books  that  we 
have  received,  because  of  the  lack  of  time  necessary  for 
original  presentation.  If  any  writer  or  publisher  finds 
that  any  of  his  or  their  work  has  been  used,  it  is  hoped 
that  it  will  be  excused  on  the  basis  of  the  gravity  of  the 

sources  of  information  are  too 


present  emergency.  The 
numerous  to  mention  and 


no  enumeration  will  be  attempted. 

H.  W.  MILLER,  Capt . Ord.  Dept. 

President  Academic  Board 


July  13,  1917 


. 


, 


Junior  Wing* 


You  should  have  these  notes 

3k  1 

7^1.  For  each  week  as  listed.  Types  of  Machine  Guns. 


#2  set. 

Description  of  Gun  Parts. 

4 sheets  copy.  3 sheets  of  cuts. 

#3  set. 

Nomenclature  of  L»w?.3  Gun. 

7 sheets  copy.  1 sheet  of  cuts. 

#4  set. 

To  strip  and  assemble  the  gun. 

5 sheets  of  copy. 

Jk  2. 

#5  set. 

Spores  and  their  care. 

1 sheet. 

:k  5. 

$6  set. 

Lubrib&t iori  of  the  Lewit  Machixie  Gun.  Cleaning  of  gun. 
3 sheets. 

#7 . set . 

Ammunition  and  Aiming. 

Types  of  Machine  Guns. 
Vicer  and.  Lewis. 


Machine  guns  are  divided  into  two  classes  according  to  their  methc 
<-f  operation  and  also  according  to  the  method  used  in  codling  the  bar- 
re  is . The  two  methods  of  operation  are  the  recoil  and  gas  while  the 
'.'o cling  of  the  barrel  is  obtained  by  water  and  air.  The  operation  in 
i he  heavier  types  of  guns  is  by  recoil  where  the  recoil  of  the  gun  due 
to  the  hall  leaving  the  barrel  causes  the  mechanism  to  be  thrown  back? 

~ spring  brings  the  operating  parts  back  to  their  initial  position, 
in  the  gas  operated  guns  a part  of  the  gas  of  the  explosion  of  the  pow=- 
or r is  tapped  off  and  acting  as  a piston  cause  the  mechanism  to  be 
thrown  back  by  a spring  which  brings  the  operating  parts,  to  their  init- 
ial position  as  in  the  recoil  gun. 

The  Machine  guns  j n use  today  are  classed  as  follows:  Recoil  and 
Water  cooled  guns  are:-  Vickers  and  Hotchkiss.  Gas  operated  and  Air 
Cooled  are:-  Lewis  and  Colt- 

At  this  time  a description  of  the  Vickers  and  Lewis  gun  will  he 
taken  up  as  these  two  guns  are  the  ones  you  will  deal  with  especially 
the  Lewis  gun  which  we  take  very  thoroughly  during  your  30  hours  of 
class  work. 

The  Vickers  Gun  is  operated  by  the  recoil  and  is  more  complicated 
than  uhe  Lewis*  Gun™'  The  weight  of  the  Vickers  is  28-|  lbs.  without 
water  and  30  lbs.  with  „the  water.  The  method  of  feeding  the  cartrid^ 
ges  to  the  gun  is  by  the  means  of  a belt  which  contains  250  rounds, a 
man  being  able  to  lead  this  belt  at  the  rate  of  25  rounds  per  minute. 
The  rate  of  fire  of  the  gun  is  from  500  to  700  rounds  per  minute  the 
rate  of  firing  being  regulated  by  the  tension  of  the  fire  or  operat- 
ing spring  and  by  a gas  deflector  which  fits  on  the  muzzle  of  the  bar- 
rel. Because  of  this  belt  feed  you  can r eadily  see  that  the  gun  in 
airplane  work  must  he  fixed  for  if  you  aimed  the  gun  in  different  dir- 
ections it  would  twist  the  belt  and  cause  a jamb. 

The  cooling  of  the  Vickers  gun  is  obtained  by  putting  6 quarts  of 
water  into  the  water  jacket  which  incases  the  barrel.  Where  the  bar- 
rel comes  through  the  water  jacket  there  is "a  box  which  is  packed  with 
asbestos  to  keep  the  water  from  leaking  out.  One  minute  of  firing 
will  bring  the  water  to  a boiling  temperature  and  this  is  a disad- 
vantage in  service  as  the  steam  given  off  might  give  the  location  of 
the  gun  away  to  the  enemy. 

The  Lev/ is  Gun, is  operated  by  gas  and  is  so  constructed  that  with 
shell,  a wrench  and  parts  of  the  gun  used  tools  it  can  he  strip- 
ped very  quickly.  The  weight  of  the  Lewis  gun  is  25  lbs.  but  as  used 
in  airplane  work  the  radiator  casing  is  taken  off  and  radiator  is  turn 
ed  down  so  that  it  only  weighs  IS  pounds.  The  magazine  of  the  Lewis 
gun  is  self  contained,  holding  47  rounds.  At  present  time  in  Europe 
they  are  making  a magazine  which  holds  97  instead  of  47  it  being  four 
rows  high  instead  of  2.  The  rate  of  fire  of  the  gun  is  from  600  to 
300  rounds  per  minute  and  is  regulated  by  the  gas  regulating  cup  which 
has  four  different  size  port  holes,  and  by  the  main  spring.  Because 
of  the  self  contained  magazine  the  Lewis  gun  can  be  fired  in  any  dir- 
ection which  is  of  a great  advantage  in  airplane  flights.  The  cool- 
ing of  the  barrel  of  the  Lewis  gun  is  accomplished  by  the  gas  rushing 
out  of  the  barrel  mouth  piece  and  causing  the  air  to  be  sucked  in  at 
the  receiving  end  of  the  radiator  and  along  the  aluminum  radiator 
fins  aluminum  being  used  for  the  radiator  because  of  its  lightness  and 
Its  high  conductivity  of  heat.  The  barrel  mouth  piece  with  the  assis- 
tance of  the  aluminum  radiator  also  perform  another  important  function 
which  is  of  taking  up  of  the  recoil  of  the  gun  so  that  the  Lews  gun  ho 
no  recoil- 


The  function  which  makes  the  Lewis  gun  superior  to  the  Vickers 
for  airplane  work  are  that  first,  it  has  a self  contained  magazine  whil 
allows  firing  in  any  direction,  second,  it  is  air  cooled  because  of 
which  it  is  necessarily  a lighter  gun,  and  thirt,  that  there  is  no  rec- 
oil . 

Summary  of  the  Vicers  and  Lewis  machine  guns: 

Vickers  Gun. 

1.  Operation  by  recoil. 

2.  Weight  28  lbs.  without  water  and  38  lbs.  with  water. 

3*  Rate  of  fire  500  to  700  regulated  by  muzzle  attachment. 

4.  Has  a recoil. 

5.  Water  cooled. 

6.  Belt  feed  250  rounds. 

Lewis  (j-un<i 

. . , , ..  t-— 

1.  Operation  by  gas. 

2.  weight  25  lbs.  with  radiator  and  18  lbs.  a£  used  in  air. 

3.  Rate  of  fire  600  to  800  regulated  by  gas  regulating  cups 
and  main  spring. 

4.  Has  no  recoil. 

5*  Air  cooled. 

6.  Magazine  feed  47  and  97  rounds. 

7.  Easily  stripped. 


o 


DESCRIPTION  OF  GUN  PARTS 


(In  the  fo lining  description  the  ref erenee* numbers' 
_ used. ..  cor  re  s pond . throughout  • vrith..  those  ..o£..  the.. 

' Nomenclature  and  Plates-) 


The  parts  of  the  Lewis  Machine  Gun  may  conveniently  he  con- 
sidered under  the  .following  four  headings: 


I.  BARREL  GROUP. 


II 


RECEIVER  CROUP. 


III.  WORKING  PARTS. 
IV.  BUTTSTOCK. 


I. 


BARREL  GROUP 


Barrel.-  The  barrel 
wards  "the  muz z 1 e , 
mouthpiece  (8Q). 
permit  its  being  screwed 


underside,  near  the 


po)  is  round  in  section  and  tapers  to- 
where  it  is  threaded  to  receive  the  barrel 
Ihe  chamber  end  cf  the  barrel  is  also  threaded  to 

(Plate  3.)  On  the 


h’ e receiver 


muz 


;le , 


the  barrel  is  pierced  by  the  gas  port  (a). 


The  barrel)  mouthpiece  (89)  is  a tubular 
nut  of  special  shape , screwed  on  to  the  muzzle  end  of  the  barrel  (76) 
by  means  of  a left-handed  thread.  It  servos  to  hold  in  pl-ce  the 
aluminium,  radiator  (73),  and  acts  also  to  direct'  the  powder  gases  in 
s.uh  a manner  as  to  aid  the  cooling  and  to  check  the  recoil. 


n gadaator .»  The  radiator  (78)  is  of  aluminium.  It  fits 
closely  over  the  barrel  (75)  and 
casing  (71,  74,  90). 


is  itself  enclosed  in  the  radiator 


casing  consists  of  three 

front  (SO)  is  tubular,  extending  beyond  tho" muzzle  of' "thc^barrel ’ ( 76) 
and  serving  to  ..id  and  direct  -L1~- 
(74)  is  cylindrical.  It  is 

{71)’  “hich  or‘  +-°P  15  a flat  plctfcrm  serving  io’ guide  th 


.> 1 4.0  lo -l. s t of  cool ?Lng  o • Tho  0 ^ y* 
ing  piece  (7U  ,*.«„*  ...  ...  P?r?«aontXy  .-.sscrtblod  to  the  regr  lock- 

Twga..z_nc  und  . t uhe  oo.UVm  -«-«  u.-uh  fcu<uun  trio  Darrel  and  receive 

groups . The  radiator  casing  rear  (74)  carries  the  roar  mounting  band 


C I amp  Ring.-  Th 


— - — two  po.rts  of  uhc  radiator  casins  are  - eepmhl -h 

sy  nenns  3X  the  clomp  ring  fee),  which  carries  on  top  the  front  sight 
86  ^ 'lth  lts  c.iamp  ring  positioning  screw  (87),  and  is  held  to-  S 

_other  by  the  clamp  ring  screw  (88).  The  clamp  ring  (85)  serves  -Iso 
.3  front  mounting  band.  " b 1 borves  -iso 

’ Pitting  into  a recess  in  the  under  side  of  the 
■™ta "nQ  enCxOS(xd  °y  the  radiator  casing,  is  the  gas  cylinder 
,1]'  'ihe  icrwr*rd  ena  OI  tne  Sas  cylinder  (77)  is  screwed  into  the 


;us  chamber  which  in  turn 
hich  fits  over  the  barrel 
tlcrccd  by  the  gas  port  (a 


screwed 


the  gas  chamber  band  (83), 


\ 76 ) *..t  the  point  whore  the  barrel 


3. 


Also  screwed  into  .the  ges  chaf^ber  '(82)  5s_  the.  t-AS"  reghiLator  cup 
■{84 ) r which'  iftay  be  turned  by  means  of  the  gfes  regulator  hey,  ■(  81 .).  ■ 

The  toregolng. .parts— .when  Assembled  complete  the-  barrel:  group* 

II.  RECEIVER  GROUP 

Receiver.-  The  receiver  (26)  is  pierced  transversely  throughout 
its  length  by  two  parallel  bores,  connected  for  the  greater  part  of 
the  distance  by  the  cut  through  which  the  operating  post  (m)  moves. 
The  upper  bore  forms  the  bearing  surface  for  the  bolt  (37)  and  the 
lower  bore  guides  and  supports  the  operating  rod  (47,  50,  72,  75, 
and  79). 

The  top  of  the  receiver  (26)  is  pierced  to  form  a channel  for 
the  feed  operating  stud  (31)  and  also  by  the  feed-way  slot  through 
which  the  cartridges  are  fed  down  from  the  magazine. 

A recess  in  the  top  of  the  receiver  (26)  forms  the  seat  for 
the  ejector  (21),  which  operates  through  two  small  slots  cut  into 
the  left-hand  side  of  the  bolt  bore. 

On  top  of  the  receiver  (26)  is  the  magazine  post  (u). 

The  ejector  opening  is  on  the  right-hand  side  and  lower  down 
on  each  side  are  cut  the  slots  thrugh  which  the  charging  handle  (38) 
moves , 


Guard » - The  guard  (39)  arid  guard  side  pieces  (22)  carry  the 
trigger  mechanism  and  serve  as  a grip  for  the  gunner's  hand. 

Feed  Cover.-  The  feed  cover  (13)  fits  over  the  top  of  the 
receiver  f26 ) and  serves  as  a housing  for  the  feed  mechanism. 

Gear  Casing.-  The  gear  casing  (61)  contains  the  mainspring 
mechanism.  A hook  at  the  front  end,  fitting  over  the  gear  case 
hinge  pin  (65),  serves  to  attach  the  gear  casing  to  the  receiver. 


Ill*  WORKING  PARTS 

Operating  Rod.-  The  operating  rod  is  an  assembled  piece  composed 
of  the  piston  (7977  the  rack  (72)  and  the  striker  (50).  The  sear  notch 
is  cut  into  the  bottom  plane  surface  of  the  rack  (72)  near  the  rear 
end.  The  striker  (50)  is  carried  by  the  top  projecting  lug  (m)  of  the 
rack  (72),  called  the  operating  post,  to  which  the  striker  (50)  is 
secured  by  the  striker  fixing  pin  (47).  The  piston  (79)  is  screwed 
into  the  rack  (72)  and  held  by  the  rack  assembling  spring  (75). 

Bolt . - The  bolt  (37)  is  cylindrical  in  form.  It  is  provided 
with  Tour  resistance  lugs  at  the  rear  end  to  sustain  the  shock  of 
discharge  and  is  threaded  internally  to  receive  the  feed  operating 
stud  (31).  The  cam  slot  cut  through  the  under  side  of  the  bolt  (37) 
takes  the  operating  post  (m)  of  the  rack  (72),  when  in  firing  position. 
The  two  extractors  (45)  are  carried  in  longitudinal  recesses  cut 
into  the  outer  surface  of  the  bolt.  The  front  end  of  the  bolt  is 
recessed  to  form  a seat  for  the  cartridge  case  and  the  wall  of  this 
recess  is  slotted  to  take  the  front  end  of  the  ejector  (21)  and  to 
permit  the  free  ejection  of  the  ^mpty  cartridge  case. 


4 ? 


Feed  Operating,  Stud . - The -feed  operating  -stud  (3i)  xs  threaded 
to ' the.  tout  m ).*»>  &?ar„  lugs 

h^Mrmia&a  .positron  . uc-  the  rfsi^ar,^.  -]  ugS-.oi  tne~  . .»_ 
boltV-'-  T-he  top-  one  of /these  guiding,  lugs  g by  engaging  with  the  - eec 
operating  arm  (34),  actuates  the  feea  mechani-m. 


arm 

Ox 


Feed  Operating  Arirn-  The  feed  operating 
and  pivots  around  the  magazine  post  (u)  on  nop 
It  is  secured  in  place  hy  the  feed  operating  anri 
curved  finger-like  extension  of  the  arm  has  in 
deeply  cut  groove,  which,  in  action,  engages  witr 
feed  operating  stud  (31).  The  main  surface  cj.  ar 
the  feed-way  slot  through  which,  in  feeding,  the 
from  the  magazine  into  the  chamber . 

The  feed  pawl  (35),  the  feed  pawl  stud  ^r ; ^ 
(36),  the  feed  pawl  spring  stud  (q),  and  the  feed 
mounted  upon  the  feed  operating  arm  (34). 


(34)  fits  over 
the  receiver  (26). 
latch  (66).  The 
s under  side  a 
the  top  lug  of  the 
e arm  is  pierced  by 
cartridges  pass 

the  feed  pawl  spring 
pawl  stop  are  all 


Stop  and  Rebound  Pawls.-  The  stop  pawl  (23)  and  the  rebound 
pawl  129TT are  fitted  int  “place  over  the  studs  inside  the  _ feed 
cover  (13),  where  they  work  against  the  magazine  pawls  spring  (2/ 


Mainspring.-  The  mainspring  (55)  fits  inside  the  mainspring 
casing  (53),  which  is  enclosed  in  the  gear  (52);  and  both  are 
enclosed  in  the  gear  casing  (61).  One  end  of  the  coiled  mainspring 
(55)  is  located  by  the  mainspring  rivets  (59),  the  other  end  by  the 
mainspring  collet"  (57),  which  is  secured  by  the  collet  pin  (56). 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  gear  (52)  engages  inside  the^gear 
casing  (61)  with  the  ratchet  gear  stop  (46),  which  is  held  in  place 
by  the  gear  stop  pin  (48)  and  is  actuated  by  the  gear  stop  spring  (49 

Trigger  Mechanism.-  The  trigger  (30),  enclosed -in  the ^guard 
(39)  ~ — ~~~  1 " and  secured  by  the  grigger  pin  (33),  is 

in  mesh  with  the  sear  (91)  and  the  sear  spring  box  (42),  which 
latter  encloses  the  sear  spring  (41). 


Charging  Handle.-  The  charging  handle  _(3V_L®nSa§?es  the 

onera tTng- rod  through  a slot  cut  in  the  rack  (72).  It  works  through 
a narrow  longitudinal  slot  cut  through  the  side  of  the  receiver 
(26).  The  charging  handle  may  he  inserted  and  used  from  either  the 
right  or  left-hand  side,  as  preferred. 


Safety.-  The  safety  (32)  Is  a narrow  sliding  strip  of  steel 
wh i ch- serves  both  as  a safety  catch  and  as  a dust  cover  for  the 
longitudinal  slot  through  which  the  charging  handle  moves.  The 
.safety Vs  used  to  lock  the  mechanism  in  the  "ready-to-f eed"  position. 

operated  by  pushing  upward  on  the  thumb -ho  Ld  until  the  notch 
engages  with  the  shank  of  the  charging  handle  (38)  and  then  pulling 
the  trigger  (30).  When  this  is  done  the  charging  handle  is  securely 
held  beneath  the  undercut  part  of  the  notch  (f ) and  the  whole  me- 
chanism of  the  gun  is  locked.  To  release  the  safety,  the  charging 
handle  is  first  pulled  slightly  back  until  the  sear  engages.  A 
downward  push  then  upon  the  projection  (d)  disengages  the  safety, 
a-d  thp  gun  Is  free  to  fire  whenever  the  trigger  is  pulled. 


5. 


IV.  BUTTSTOCK 

The'  "Rifle  " and-  "Spade...  Grip'1’  are-  al-t.ernative'"'f drras  -of.  butts- took- 

' / Z-  • ... 

"'Rifle'  ButistocK^-  These  parts  consist  of  the  huttplate  (l),two 
buttplate  screws  ( 2 ) , the  butt  (3),  the  butt  tang  screw  (4)  and  the 
butt  tang  (5).  Together  they  form  a single  assembled  piece,  which 
should  never  be  stripped. 

Spade  Grip  Buttstock.-  This  piece  consists  of  the  hand  grip 
(92),  and  the  spade  gr'ip’TSutt  tang  (96). 


GENERAL  NOTE 


It  will  be  noted  that  the  receiver  group  is  secured  to  the 
barrel  group  by  the  receiver  lock  pin  (68).  The  line  of  connection 
then  runs  through  the  gear  casing  (61)  to  the  front  end  of  the  guard 
(39);  through  the  guard  to  the  butt  latch  (7)  seated  in  a recess  in 
its  rear  end.  When  the  buttstock  is  latched  into  place  behind  the 
receiver  (26),  the  entire  gun  is  securely  assembled. 


THE  MAGAZINE 

The  magazine  from  which  cartridges  are  fed  into  gun  is  an 
assembled  unit  built  up  as  follows:  To  magazine  pan  (43),  by  means 
of  spacer  ring  rivets  (69),  is  fastened  the  cartridge  spacer  ring 
(51),  carrying  the  interior  separators  (70).  Inside  the  pan  is  placed 
the  magazine  center  (58),  while  outside  is  magazine  top  plate  (67), 
which  houses  the  magazine  latch  (62)  and  magazine  latch  spring  (60). 
The  magazine  center  and  top  plate  are  fastened  together  by  means  of 
magazine  top  plate  rivets  (54). 

The  wall  of  magazine  pan  is  provided  with  corrugations  which  on 
inside  of  pan  serve  to  space  and  retain  bases  of  cartridges,  and  on 
outside  to  engage  with  feed  pawl  (35),  stop  pawl  (28),  and  rebound 
pawl  (29).  The  magazine  center  is  hollowed  out  and  provided  with 
a keyway  so  that  it  fits  over  magazine  post  and  center  key  on  top 
of  receiver. 

When  not  in  use,  the  pan  and  center  are  automatically  locked  to- 
gether by  the  magazine  latch,  which  engages  in  a series  of  notches 
cut  through  inside  edge  of  the  spacer  ring.  To  load  or  unload  maga- 
zine the  latch  must  be  held  back  so  that  the  pan  may  be  free  to  re- 
volve around  magazine  center. 

In  loading,  latch  is  held  back  by  magazine  filling  handle,  which 
permits  of  pan  being  turned  by  hand  or  machine  as  cartridges  are  few 
down  into  place. 

In  action,  after  magazine  has  been  dropped  into  place  over 
post  on  top  of  receiver,  the  latch  is  held  back  by  a projection  on 
inside  oi  this  post,  so  that  the  pan  is  free  to  turn  when  acted  upon 
by  feed  pawl.  The  magazine  center  is  located  and  prevented  from 
turning  by  the  center  key  (63). 

In  removing  magazine,  the  latch  is  held  back  by  hand  while  the 
magazine  is  lifted  clear  of  post. 


f 


PLATES  DESCRIPTIVE  OF  LEWIS  GUN  PARTS 


Plate  1.  Complete  with  Magazine  and  Rifle  Buttstock 


Plate  2.  Gun  parts:  Barrel  group  and  Operating  Rod 


Plate  3.  Gun  parts:  Receiver  group,  Mainspring  and 
Trigger  Mechanism 


NOMENCLATURE 
'LIST  OF  PARTS  IN  GUN 


wo. 

40.  Cartridge  Guide  Spring. 
40a.  Cartridge  Guide  Lever. 


No  . 

1.  Buttplate. 

2.  Buttplate  Screws  (2<). 


Lewis  Automatic 
...  ,v\ODliL 


Machine  Gun 
1916  ... 


mm  bawc*  at® 


•Arrrv-  «i*mt  ^Lerr 


/XQAPTyABUE  TO/XNV  /vVODERN/v\u-lXARY  C/XR.TRIDOB 

RAVAGE  -ARMS  CO 
UTICANY 


iJDAOLATt®  C»SJNO  CUAQ  LOCK***  MCA 


(*_)  Tflortr  PAOIATOA  CAfllNA 
OAWtfi.  rAOUTMPlLCl 


'LIST  OF  PARTS  IN  GUN 


Reference  Name  of  part 

Reference  Name  of  Part 

No 

No 

. 

76  . 

Barrel . 

77. 

Gas  Cylinder. 

89  . 

Barrel  Mouthpiece. 

84. 

Gas  Regulator  Cup. 

37/ 

Bolt . 

81. 

Gas  Regulator  Key. 

7. 

Butt  Latch. 

52. 

Gear . 

121. 

Butt  Latch  Pjni 

65. 

Gear  Case  Hinge  Pin. 

10. 

Butt  Latch  Spring. 

61. 

Gear  Casing. 

1. 

Buttplate . , 

Buttplate  Screws (&). 

46  . 

Gear  Stop. 

2. 

48. 

Gear  Stop  Pin, 

3. 

Buttstock , 

49. 

Gear  Stop  Spring. 

5. 

Butt  Tang. 

39. 

Guard . 

4 . 

Butt  Tang  Screw. 

22. 

Guard  Side  Pieces  (2). 

4Ci. 

Cartridge  Guide  Com.R 

27. 

Magazine  Pawls  Spring. 

plete . 

55 

Mainspring 

40. 

Cartridge  Guide  Spring. 

53. 

Mainspring  Casing. 

40a. 

Cartridge  Guide  Lever 

57. 

Mainspring  Collet. 

40b  . 

Cartridge  Guide  Pin. 

59. 

Mainspring  Rivets.  (2) 

63. 

Center  Key. 

79  . 

Piston . 

38. 

Charging  Handle. 

75  . 

Rack  Assembling  Spr'g. 

85. 

Clamp  Ling. 

72. 

Rack . 

87. 

Clamp  Ring  Position- 

78' 

Radiator . 

ing  Screw 

90. 

Radiator  Casing  Front. 

82h 

Clamp  Ring  Screw. 

74. 

Radiator  Casing  Rear. 

56. 

Collet  Pin. 

71. 

Radiator  Casing  Rear 

21* 

Ejector . 

Locking  Piece. 

44. 

Ejector  Cover. 

29. 

Rebound  Pawl . 

45. 

Extractors  (2). 

26 . I 

Receiver . 

13. 

Feed  Cover. 

68 . 

Receiver  Lock  Pin. 

34. 

Feed  Operating  Arm. 

52. 

Safety  (Right  and  Left, 

66  . 

Feed  Operating  Arm 

91. 

Sear . 

Latch, 

120. 

Sear  Pin. 

31. 

Feed  Arm  Actuating 

41 . 

Sear  Spring. 

Stud . 

42. 

Sear  Spring  Box. 

35. 

Feed  Pawl. 

28. 

Stop  Pawl. 

36. 

Feed  Pawl  Spring. 

50. 

Striker . 

86. 

Front  Sight . 

47. 

Striker  Fixing  Pin. 

82. 

Gas  Chamber. 

30. 

Trigger . 

83. 

Gas  Chamber  Band. 

33. 

Trigger  Pin. 

I 


COMPLETE  NUMERICAL  LIST 
OF 

PARTS  IN  LEWIS  MACHINE  GUN 
AND  ACCESSORIES 


In  order  of  the  reference 
the  text  and  illustrations. 

Reference  Name  of  Part 
No  . 

1.  Buttplate. 

2.  Buttplate  Screws  (2>). 


numbers  used  throughout  in  the 


Reference  Name  of  Part 
No  . 

40.  Cartridge  Guide  Spring. 
40a.  Cartridge  Guide  Lever. 


"eference  N ane  of  Fart 

Mo. 

3.  ^utts'ct^ek 

4.  Butt  Tang  Screw. 

5*  Lutt  Tang. 

7 . L utt  Lat  c h 

8.  Back  Sight  Bed  Spring. 
0.  Back  Sight  Bed  Spring 

Scraw. 

10*  Butt  Latch  Spri nr 
11.  Back  Sic'ht  Bed. 

13.  Feed  Cover. 

14.  Back  Sight  Leaf. 

20.  Back  Sight  Slide. 

21.  Ejector. 

22.  ^uard  Side  Pieces  (2) 

23.  Lack  Sight  Axis  Pin 

Was  he  r . 

24.  Back  Sight  Axis  Pin. 

26.  Receiver. 

27.  I/agazine  Pawls  Spring* 
28  . Sto  p Pawl  . 

29.  Rebound  Pawl* 

30.  Trigger. 

31.  Feed  Operating 

Stud. 

32.  Safety  (Right  and  Left) 

33.  Trigger  Pin. 

34.  Feed  Operating  Ar,.;. 

35.  Feed  Pawl. 

36.  Feed  Pawl  Spring. 

37.  Bolt 

38.  Charging  Handle. 

39.  Guard. 

401/2.  Cart  rid;  :e  Guide  Com- 
plete . 

72  Rack 

74  .Radiator  Casing  Rear 

75  Rack  Assembling  Spring 

76  Barrel 

77  Gras  Cylinder 

78  Piston 

A Regulation  Key  Stud 

81  Cas  Regulator  Key 

82  Gas  Charter 

83  Gas  Ch.a_.be r Land 
Gas  Regulator  Cup 

85  Clamp  Ring 

86  Front  Sight 
Clamp  Ring  Positioning 

Screw 

Clamp  fling  Screw 


Reference  Kane  of  Part 
No . 


40  b 

» Cartridge  Guide  Pin. 

41. 

Sear  Spring. 

42. 

Sear  Spring  Box. 

4j  . 

magazine  Pan. 

44. 

Ejector  Cover. 

45. 

Extractors  (2) 

46. 

Ca*r  Stop. 

47. 

Strike1*  Fixing  Pino 

43. 

Gear  Stop  Pin 

49a 

Gear  Stop  Spring* 

50  a 

Striker. 

51. 

Cartridge  Spacer  Ring. 

52. 

Gear. 

53. 

mainspring  Casing* 

54. 

Magazine  Top  Plate 

Rivets  (6) 

55. 

mainspring. 

56. 

Collet  Pin. 

57. 

mainspring  Collet. 

53. 

Magazine  Center. 

59. 

mainspring  Rivets . (2) 

60). 

Gear  Casing. 

60, 

a~azine  Latch  Borin." . 

62. 

magazine  Latch. 

63. 

Center  Key. 

65. 

Gear  Case  Kirwe  Pin. 

66. 

Feed  Operating  Am  Latch 

6 7 IS 

agazine  Top  Plate 

68 

Receive^-  Lock  Pin 

6 9 

Spacer  Ring  Rivets  (5) 

70 

Interior  Separator  Pin 

71. 

Radiator  Casing  Rear,  Lod 

112. 

Lountinr  Yoke  Pillar 

Screw 

113 

j ounting  Yoke  Clamp 

Hinge  Pin 

114. 

1. ounting  Yoke  Clam 0 Pin 

115 

haunting  Yoke  Cla  p Key 

116 

Back  Sight  Elevating 

Screw 

117 

Back  Sight  Elevating 

Screw  Head 

118 

Back  Sir-ht  Elevating 

Screw  Head  Pin 

119 

Eack  Sight  Elevating 

Screw  Head  Spring 

120  Sear  Pin 

121  Butt  Latch  Pin 


piece 


88 


Name  of  Part 


: Jfcratftpl  e ere-'. ' 

Sot  Radiator  Casing - Front . 

91. *  Sear  Rear. 

92.  Hand  Grip. 

96.  - Spade  Grip  Butt  Tang. 

97.  Deflector. 

98.  Deflector  Arm. 

99.  Deflector  Arm  Joint 

Pin. 

100.  Deflector  Clip. 

101.  Deflector  Clip  Joint 

Pin . 

102.  Deflector  Bracket. 

103.  Deflector  Clamp  Screw. 

104.  Deflector  Latch. 

105.  Deflector  Latch  Screw. 

106.  Deflector  Clamp  Screw 

washer . 

107.  Defjectpr  Clamp  Screw 

Stop  Nut, 

108.  Shell  Catcher  Bag. 

109.  Mounting  Yoke. 

110.  Mounting  Yoke  Clamp. 

111.  Mounting  Yoke  Pillar. 


Reference  . Name  . of.  Part 


No-.- 

: , ■ A." 

- 122.  - 

'Mount ing  Y'Oke - Pillar > 
Hinge  Pin. 

123. 

Mounting  Yoke  Spring. 

] 24  . 

Mounting  Standard. 

125 . 

Light  Field  Mount 
Bottom  Crossbrace. 

126. 

L.F.M.  Center  Post. 

12$. 

L.F .M.  Feet  ( 2 ) . 

128. 

L.F.M.  Front  Legs  (2). 

129. 

L.F.M.  Front  Yoke. 

130. 

L.F.M.  Knuckle  Joint. 

131. 

L.F.M.  Knuckle  Joint 
Pin. 

132. 

L.F.M.  Rear  Brace. 

133. 

L.F.M.  T Joint, 

Center . 

134. 

L.F.M.  T Joint, 

Side  ( 2 ) . 

135. 

L.F  .M.  Top  Lug. 

136. 

Barrel  Mouthpiece 

137. 

Magazine  Filling  Han- 
dle . 

138. 

Shell  Extractor. 

OFFICIAL  NOMENCLATURE 

The  following  list  of  parts  showing  the  Official  Nomen- 
clature given  by  the  C.I.S.A.  as  to  certain  parts,  is  inserted 
for  convenience  of  reference. 


Fact- 
ory 
No  • 


Official  ( C .1 . S . A . 7 
Nomenclature 


Hand-  Savage  Arms  Co. 

look  Nomenclature 

No . 


F2-911 


Fl-40 

F2-1 


Arms  feed  (with  latch).  34-| 
F2-34  Arms  feed. 

Fl-35  Latch,  feed  arm. 

E1-35A  Stud,  axis,  lat- 
ch, feed  arm. 
r.5  S’  " • ■'sod 
F2-45  Pawl,  feed  arm. 

Fl-46  Spring,  pawl  feed 
arm. 

Band,  barrel. 

Barrel . 


Arm,  feed  operating. 

34  Feed  operating  arm 
only . 

66  Feed  operating  arm 
latch . 

158  Feed  operating  arm 
latch  rivet. 

35  Feed  Pawl. 

36  Feed  pawl  spring. 

83  Band,  gas  chamber. 

76  Barrel. 


> 


F2-130  Bed,  tangent  sight.  11 

Blades,  foresight  (high). 
Blades,  foresight  (low). 
F2-2  Body  with  hinge  pin.  26 

F2-915  Bolt  complete  (with  37-g- 

twoextractors  and  feed 
arm  actuating  stud). 

F2-3  Bolt  only. 

Fl-10  Stud,  actuating 
feed  arm. 

F2-50  Extractors . 

Fl-29  Butt.  3 

Fl-27  Cap  butt.  5 

Fl-11  Casing,  pinion.  61-g- 

Casing  pinion. 

Fl-14  Spring,  return 
Fl-13  Casing,  return 
spring , 

Fl-15  Hub,  return 
spring , 

Fl-12  Pinion. 

Fl-17  Pawl  pinion. 

Fi-16  Screw  tension 
return  spring. 

Fl-18  Spring,  pawl 
pinion . 

Fl-19  Pin,  axis,  pawl 
pinion . 

6-  Disc,  casing 
pinion . 


F2-6 

Casing,  radiator, 
front  . 

9©. 

F2-7 

Casing,  radiator 
rear . 

74 

F2-25 

Catch,  butt . 

7 

F2-39 

Chamber,  gas. 

82 

F2-31 

Cover,  body. 

13 

Fl-38 

Cover,  ejector. 

44 

Fl-43 

Cylinder , gas . 

77 

Fl-37 

Ejector . 

21 

F2-102A 

Foresight . 

86 

F2-24 

Guard . 

39 

FI  -51 

Handle,  cocking 

38 

F2-138. 

Head  screw  tangent 
si]ght  - 

117 

PT-42 

Key,  gas  regulator. 

81 

F2-135 ’ 

Leaf  tangent  sight. 

14 

F2-900 

Magazine,  complete. 

43A 

F2-62  Magazine  center. 
F2.-60A  Magazine  latch. 


Back  sight  bed. 

Blades,  foresight  (high). 
Blades,  foresight  (low). 
Receiver . 

Bolt  complete  (with  two  ex- 
tractors and  feed  arm  act- 
uating stud), 

37  Bolt. 

31  Feed  operating  stud. 

45  Extractors . 

Stock,  Butt . 

Tang  butt . 

Gear  casing  complete. 

61  Gear  casing. 

55  Mainspring, 

53  Mainspring  casing, 

57  Mainspring  collet. 

52  Gear , 

46  Gear  stop. 

56  Collet  pin. 

49  Spring  gear  stop. 

48  Pin  gear  stop. 

--  Disc,  casing  pinion. 

Casing,  radiator,  f rsnt . 

Casing,  radiator,  r<»ar  . 

Latch,  butt . 

Chamber,  gas. 

ILover,  feed. 

Cover,  ejector. 

Cylinder,  gas. 

Ejector . 

Sight,  front  (high  and  low). 
Guard. 

Handle,  charging. 

Back  sight  elevating  screw, 
head . 

Key,  gas  regulator. 

Back  sight  leit£. 

Magazine,  complete. 

58  Magazine  center. 

62  Magazine  latch. 


Fac~ 

Official  (C.I.S.A.) 

Hand- 

Savage-  Arms  Co*, 

\ Nomenclature 

book 

Nomenclature 

. 

No. 

pi-66  Magazine  latch 

60  Magazine  latch 

spring . 

spring . 

F2-57A  Magazine  pan. 

43  Magazine  pan. 

Fl-59  Rivet,  top  plate 

54  Magazine  top  plate 

magaz ine . 

rivet . 

F2-67A  Pin,  separating 

70  Interior  separator 

cartridge. 

* 

pin. 

F2-64  Cartridge  spacer. 

51  Cartridge  spacer. 

F2-106  Cartridge  head 

--  Cartridge  head  re- 

retaining  pin. 

taining  piece. 

Fl-65  Cartridge  spacer 

69  Cartridge  spacer 

rivet . 

rivet . 

F2-58A  Top  plate  maga- 

67  Magazine  top  plate. 

z ine  . 

FI  -44 

Mouthpiece  barrel. 

89 

Mouthpiece  barrel. 

F2-47 

Pawl,  stop  magazine,  left 

. 28 

Pawl,  stop. 

F2-48 

Pawl,  stop  magaz ine , right 

. 29 

Pawl,  rebound. 

F2-131 

Pin,  axis,  leaf,  tangent 

24 

Back  sight j axis,  pin. 

s ight . 

F2-104 

Pin,  axis,  sear. 

120 

Pin,  sear. 

Fl-23 

Pin,  axis,  trigger. 

33 

Pin,  trigger. 

F2-139 

Pin,  fixing  head  screw 

118 

Back,  sight,  screw,  head 

gent  sight. 

pin . 

Fl-56 

Pin,  hinge,  pinion,  cas- 

65 

Pin,  gear  case  hing. 

ing. 

Pin,  butt  latch. 

F2-106 

Pin,  keeper  butt  catch. 

121 

Fl-52 

Pin,  locking  body. 

68 

Pin  receiver  lock. 

F2-132APin,  split,  keeper,  axis 

Pin,  split,  keeper,  axis 

pin,  tangent  sight. 

pin,  tangent  sight. 

Fl-30 

Plate,  butt. 

1 

Plate  butt. 

F2-36 

.Slate,  safety  catch,  right. 32 

Safety  right. 

F2-36A 

Plate,  safety  catch,  left 

• 

Safety  left. 

- 

Plug  clearing. 

138 

Shell  extractor. 

F2-20A 

Plunger spring , trigger. 

42 

Sear  spring  box. 

F3-5 

Radiator . 

78 

Radiator . 

F2-41 

Regulator,  gas. 

84 

Cup,  gas  regulator. 

F2-9 

Ring,  clamp. 

85 

Ring,  clamp. 

F2-917 

Rod,  piston  with  rack  and 

79| 

Piston  complete  with  rai 

pin. 

striker  and  striker 
fixing  pin. 

F2-4E  Piston. 

79  Piston. 

F1-4A  Rack  actuating 

72  Rack. 

bolt . 

Fl-32  Pin  fixing  rack 

75  Spring,  rack  assem- 

piston  rod. 

bling . 

F1-4B  Striker. 

50  Striker. 

Fl-40  Pin,  fixing  striker. 

47  Pin,  fixing  striker. 

F2-134 

Screw,  bed  and  spring,  tan-  9 

Back  sight  bed  spring. 

gent  sight. 

Fl-28 

Screw,  butt  cap. 

4 

Screw  butt  tang. 

Al-89 

Screw,  butt  plate  (2). 

2 

Screw  butt  plate  (2). 

F2-8 

Screw,  clamp  ring. 

88 

; /* 

Screw , c lamp  r ing , 

. • .♦ 


Back  sight,  elevating  screv 


F2-137  Screw  elevating,  tang-  116 

ent  sight 

F2-103  Sear.  91  Sear. 

F2-55  Side  piece  pistol  grip,  22  Piece  Guard  sight  right. 

right.  Piece  Guard  sight  left. 

F2-55B  Side  piece  pistol  grip, 
left . 

F2-136  Slide  tangent  sight.  20  Back  sight  slide. 

F2-26  Spring,  butt  catch.  10  Spring r butt  latch. 

F2-33  Spring,  guide  cartridge.  40|r  Cartridge  guide,  complete. 

40  Cartridge  guide  spring 
4QA  Cartridge  guide 
lever  . 

40B  Cartridge  guide  pin. 


F2-140  • 

Spring,  head,  screw,  tan- 

119 

BA6k  sight  screw  head 

gent  sight. 

spring. 

Fl-49 

Spring,  pawls,  stop. 

magazine  . 

27 

Spring,  magazine  pawl. 

F2-133 

Spring,  tangent  sight. 

8 

Back  sight,  bed  spring. 

Fl-21 

Spring,  trigger. 

41 

Spring,  sear. 

F2-9A 

Stud,  positioning  clamp 

87 

Screw,  clamp  ring  p*»s- 

ring . 

it ioning . 

F2-22 

Trigger , 

30 

Trigger . 

F2-132 

Washer,  pin,  axis,  tangent 

23 

Back  sight,  axis  pin 

s ight . 

washer . 

ACCESSORIES  AND  TKEIR  PARTS 

THE  MAGAZINE  (Plate  5)  is  an  assembled  unit  composed  of  the 
following  parts : 

51.  Cartridge  spacer  Ring. 

70.  Interior  Separator  Fin. 

58,  Magazine  Center. 

62.  Magazine  Latch. 

60.  Magazine  Latch  Spring. 

43.  Magazine  Pan. 

67.  Magazine  Top  Plate. 

54.  Magazine  Top  Plate  Rivets  (6). 

69.  Spacer  Ring  Rivets  (5). 

THE  RIFLE  BUTTSTOCK  (Plate  6)  is  a single  assembled  piece 
composed  of: 

1.  Buttplate. 

2.  Buttplate  Screws (2). 

3.  Buttstock. 

4.  Butt  Tang  Screw. 

5 • Butt  Tang . 


THE  SPADE  GRIP  BUTTSTOCK  (Plate  6)  is  used  when  preferred  tc 
the  trifle-  huttslock....,  It  ..is  composed  of  the  following  parts- 

92 . Hand  Grip . 

96.  Spade  Grip  Butt  Tang. 

THE  SHELL  DEFLECTOR  (Plate  7)  is  an  attachment  for  controlling 
the  ejection  of  the  empty  cartridge  cases.  It  is  very  readily 
and  quickly  attached  and  when  in  position  can  be  instantly  swung 
back  out  of  the  way  so  that  the  inside  of  the  gun  may  be  examined 
or  any  part  of  the  mechanism  reached.  Plate  10  shows  the  deflector 
attached  and  ready  to  catch  each  cartridge  ejected.  One  view  shows 
the  deflector  swung  back  out  of  the  way.  The  component  parts  of  the 
shell  deflector  complete  are  as  follows: 

97.  Deflector. 

98.  Deflector  Arm. 

99.  Deflector  Arm  Jomht  Pin. 

102.  Deflector  Bracket. 

103.  Deflector  Clamp  Screw. 

107.  Deflector  Clamp  Screw  Stop  nut. 

106.  Deflector  Clamp  Screw  Washer. 

100.  Deflector  Clip. 

101.  Deflector  Clip  Joint  Pin. 

104.  Deflector  Latch. 

105.  Deflector  Latch  Screw. 

108.  Shell  Catcher  Bag. 


THE  BACK  SIGHT,  a side  view  of  which  is  shown  in  Plate  4,  is 
normally  left  in  position  on  top  of  the  feed  cover  (13),  where  it 
is  secured  by  the  upper  prolongation  of  the  butt  tang  (4  or  96) 
and  by  the  back  sight  bed  spring  screw  (9).  The  back  sight  com- 
plete is  an  assembled  unit  composed  of  the  following  parts: 


24. 

23. 

11. 

8. 

9. 

116. 

117. 

118. 
119. 

14. 

20. 


Back  Sight  Axis  Pin. 

B.S.  Axis  Pin  Washer. 

B.S.  Bed. 

B.S.  Bed  Spring. 

B.S,  Bed  Spring  Screw 
B.S.  Elevating  Screw.' 

B.S.  Elevating  Screw 
B.S.  Elevating  Screw  head  Pin. 
B.S.  Elevating  Screw  Head  Spring. 
B.S.  Leaf. 

B.S.  Slide. 


THE  MOUNTING  YOKE  (See  Frontispiece  and  Plates  8,  9 and  10) 
is  the  device  adopted  to  secure  the  gun  on  any  desired  form  of 
mounting.  The  yoke  complete  is  composed  of  following  parts: 

109.  Mounting  Yoke. 

111.  M.Y.  Bronze  Pillar. 

123.  M.Y.  Spring. 

110.  M.Y.  Clamp. 

113.  M.Y.  Clamp  Hinge  Pin. 


.115.  M.Y.  Clamp  Key. 

- - - . . .114  * M.Y ..  Clamp  Pin. 

' ...  122.  M.Y.  Pillar  Hinge  Pin. 

112.  M.Y.  Pillar  Screw. 

AEROPLANE  MOUNTING  STANDARD.-  This  is  a single  gunmetal 
casting.  (Plate  8:  No.  124.) 

124.  Mounting  Standard. 

LIGHT  FOLDING  FIELD  MOUNT.-  This  is  a three-  and-a-half 
pound  folding  mount  adapted  for  general  use  with  infantry  and 
cavalry  in  the  field.  The  mount  is  surprisingly  rigid  and  permit 
of  very  accurate  shooting.  Both  front  and  rear  mounting  yokes, 
connected  through  the  center  post  ahd  rear  brace,  are  pivoted 
about  the  axis  of  the  center  post,  so  that  the  gun  is  always  free 
to  traverse.  The  gun  is  free  to  turn  within  the  yokes,  so  that 
the  sights  may  always  be  kept  vertical  no  matter  what  the  pos- 
ition of  the  feet.  When  the  mount  is  attached,  it  is  often 
convenient  to  use  the  rear  brace  as  a handle  for  carrying  the 
gun.  The  assembled  mount  complete  has  the  following  component 
parts  . 

125.  Light  Field  Mount  Bottom  Crossbrace. 

126.  L.F.M.  Center  Post. 

127.  L.F.M.  Feet  (2)  . 

128.  L.F.M.  Front  Legs  (2). 

129.  L.F.M.  Front  Yoke. 

130.  L.F.M.  Knuckle  Joint. 

131.  L.F.M.  Knuckle  Joint  Pin. 

132.  L.F.M.  Rear  Brace. 

133.  L.F.M.  T Joint,  Center. 

134.  L.F.M.  T Joint,  Side  (2). 

135.  L.F.M.  Top  Lug. 

also  1 Mounting  Yoke  Complete. 


Plate  7.  Shell  Deflector  complete 


Plate  9. 


Light  Folding  Field  Mount  complete. 


Plate  8.  Aeroplane  Mounting  complete. 


TO  STRIP  AND  ASSEMBLE  THE  .GUN. 

- Although  the  gun  may  he  taken  apart  starting  with  the  mechan- 
ism in  any  position,  it  is  best  whenever  practicable  to  see  that 
the  magazine  is  removed,  the  chamber  empty  and  the  charging  handle 
at  the  extreme  forward  end  of  its  stroke,  before  commencing  to 
dismount.  If  this  procedure  is  followed  there  will  be  no  need  to 
readjust  the  mainspring  tension  or  to  make  any  other  adjustment 
when  the  gun  is  reassembled. 

STRIPPING 

To  dismount  the  gun,  insert  the  point  of  a bullet  into  the 
slot  leading  to  the  butt  latch  (Plate  It  No.  7)  and  push  forward 
against  the  force  of  the  butt  latch  spring.  At  the  same  time 
twist  the  buttstock  (Plate  1:  No.  3)  up  and  to  the  left,  then 
remove  by  withdrawing  it  to  the  rear.  This  removes  the  buttstock 
group,  (Plate  6:  Nos.  1,2, 3, 4 and  5)  which  should  not  be  further 
dismounted . 

Next  hold  back  the  trigger  (Plate  1:  NO.  30),  and  pull  back 
the  guard  (Plate  1:  No.  39)  until  clear  of  the  receiver  (Plate  1: 
No.  26).  This  removes  the  guard,  which  contains  the  trigger 
mechanism  and  butt  latch. 

Pull  down  on  the  gear  casing  (Plate  1:  No.  61)  until  it  drops 
clear  of  the  rack  (Plate  1:  No.  72). 

Pull  back  the  charging  handle  (Plate  1:  No.  38i)  until  it 
reaches  the  end  of  its  slot,  then  withdraw  by  pulling  it  out  away 
from  the  receiver. 

Withdraw  the  operating  rod  complete  and  the  bolt  complete  by 
pulling  them  both  together  to  the  rear  until  clear  of  the  receiver. 

With  the  point  of  a bullet  push  back  on  the  receiver  lock 
pin  (Plate  1:  No.  68),  then  twist  the  receiver  (Plate  1:  No. 26) 
up  and  to  the  left  and  unscrew  it  from  the  barrel. 

The  foregoing  operations  divide  the  gun  into  convenient  groups 
of  parts,  the  detailed  stripping  of  which  will  not  be  described. 


DETAILED  STRIPPING 
BUTTSTOCK  GROUP 

It  is  best  never  to  strip  this  group  but  if  found  necessary 
the  screws  securing  the  buttplate  and  butt  tang-  to  the  buttstock 
are  readily  removed. 


RECEIVER  GROUP 

See  that  the  feed  operating  arm  (34)  is  pushed  to  the  right, 
then  pull  back  and  remove  the  feed  cover  (13). 

FEED  COVER.-  From  the  feed  cover  the  stop  pawl  (28),  rebound 
pawl  (29)  and  cartridge  guide  spring  (40)  are  readily  removed  with 
the  point  of  a bullet.  In  plate  4 these  parts  are  seen  in  place 
inside  the  feed  cover. 

BACK  SIGHT.  - The  back  sight  (Plate  4:  No.  11)  may  be 
stripped  from  the  feed  cover  by  removing  the  bed  spring  screw  (9). 

1 


PEED  OPERATING  ARM. --Remove  the-  feed  operating- arm  complete 
(Plate  4;  Nos , 34,  35,  36  and  66)  by  pushing  forward  on  the  feed 
operating  "’'amr  latch  ■(■66-)  "and  thPn  li f ting. cieer-of  .tts'®agaz^ne, 
post  (plate  3:  (u)).  The  feed  pawl  (33)  and  feed  pawl'  spring-' 1 ^ / 

are  removed  from  the  feed  operating  arm  by  lifting  them  clear  oi 
the  studs  (r)  and  (q)*  The  latph  (66)  should  not  be  removed. 

i 

EJECTOR . *•-  ( PI  ate  4:Nos.  44‘  and  21).  With  the  point  Of  ■ a bul- 
let lift  and  pull  Out  the  ejector  cover  (44)  and  the  ejector  (21) * 

SAFETY. •** -The  safeties  (Plate  3:  No.  32)  may  be  pried  out  of 
the  receiver  with  a bullet  points  / 

The  gear  case  hinge  pin  (65)  and  the  center  key  (63)  are  per- 
manently assembled  and  should  not  be  removed. 

GEAR  CASING.--  Push  forward  and  remove  the  receiver  lock  pin 
(Plate  3:  No.  68)  and  unhook  gear  casing  (61)  from  the  gear  case 
hinge'  pin  ( 65 ) . 

The  receiver  group  is  now  completely  stripped. 

MAINSPRING  GROUP 

To  strip  completely  the  parts  (Plate  3:  Nos.  61,  46,  56,  52, 

57,  53,  55,  49,  48  and  59)  found  assembled  in  the  gear  casing  (61), 
raise  the  gear  stop  (46)  with  the  point  of  a bullet  and  allow  the 
mainspring  to  unwind. 

0 

GEAR. --Then  unscrew  the  collet  pin  (56)  and  shake  out  the 
gear  ( 52  ) . 

MAINSPRING. --Pushing  with  a bullet  through  the  gear  against 
the  mainspring  collet  (57)  forces  out  the  mainspring  casing  (53) 
from  which  the  mainspring  (55)  with  its  locating  rivets  (59)  and 
the  mainspring  collet  (57)  may  also  be  removed  by  the  use  of  a 
bullet. 

GEAR  STOP. --The  gear  stop  (46)  and  gear  stop  spring  (49)  should 
not  be  stripped  but  in  case  of  necessity  they  may  be  removed  by 
driving  out  the  gear  stop  pjm  (48), 

GUARD  GROUP 

The  assembled  guard  (Plate  3:  Nos.  33,  120,  30,  91,  42,  el, 

121,  7 and  10)  contains  the  trigger  mechanism  and  the  butt  latch. 

To  strip  this  group,  punch  out  the  trigger  pin  (33)  and  the  sear 
pin  ( 120  ) . 

TRIGGER. --Pull  back  on  the  trigger  ( 3Q ) and  lift  it  out. 

SEAR . --Remove  the  sear  (91),  sear  spring  box  (42)  and  sear 
spring  ( 41 ) . 

In  ordinary  pracice  the  guard  group  need  never  be  stripped. 


BOLT  AND  ROD  GROUP 


BUTT  LATCH--  Punch  out  the  butt  latch  pin  (121)  and  remove  the  butt 
latch.  (7)  and  butt  latch  spring  (10)* 

The  bolt  and  rod  group  comprises  the  holt  complete  and  the 
operating  red  complete.  These  two  assembled  parts  are  withdrawn 
together  from  the  receiver,  and  may  then  be  separated  by  lifting 
the  bolt  clear  of  the  operating  post  (m)  on  the  rod. 

BOLT  COMPLETE 

(Plate  4:  Nos.  31,  45  & 37 ) 

PEED  OPERATING  STUD.--  Unscrevj  and  remove  the  feed  operating  stud 
(31)  from  the  rear  end  of  the  bolt. 

EXTRACTORS.--  The  extractors  (45)  are  spring-tempered  and  are 
sprung  into  place.  To  remove,  insert  the  point  of  a bullet  under 
the  extractor  claw  and  push  the  head  of  the  extractor  out  and  away 
from  the  bolt.  At  the  same  time  draw  the  whole  extractor  forward 
until  it  is  clear  of  its  seating. 

BOLT.--  The  bolt  (37)  is  now  completely  stripped. 

OPERATING  ROD  COMPLETE 
(Plate  2:  Nos.  7S,  75,  72,  50  and  47.) 

This  assembled  piece  is  ordinarily  never  stripped. 

PISTON.--  The  forward  end  of  the  rack  assembling  spring  (75) 

may  be  pressed  out  of  its  notch  in  the  piston  (79)  by  the  point  of 

a bullet  and  piston  can  .then  be  readily  turned  out  of  the  rack (72) 

STRIKER.--  The  striker  (50)  may  be  withdrawn  after  punching  out 
striker  fixing  pin  (47). 

BARREL  GROUP. 

(Plate  2:  Nos.  81,  84,  88,  85,  86,  87,  90, 

74,  71,  77,  89,  82,  76,  78,  and  83.) 

GAS  REGULATOR.--  Lift  out  the  gas  regulator  key  (81),  then  unscrew 
and  remove  the  gas  regulator  cup  (84). 

CLAMP  RING.--  Using  the  gas  regulator  key  as  a tool,  . unscrew  the 
clamp  ring  screw  (88)  and  remove  the  clamp  ring  (85),  which  carries 
the  front  sight  (86)  and  clamp  ring  positioning  screw  (87). 

PAD I AT OR  CASING.--  Pull  forward  the  radiator  casing  front  (90)  and 
pull  back  the  radiator  casing  rear  (74),  which  is  permanently 
assembled  to  the  radiator  casing  rear  locking  piece  (71) 

GAS  CYLINDER. — Unscrew  and  remove  the  gas  cylinder  (77),  using 
operating  rod  as  a wrench. 


GAS  CHAMBER-.' — Unscrew  the-ghs-  'ch amber  .('82 ) , using  the  •gae  Teg- 
uits-loh'-^fey  (81)  -a./wre n oh,r  -( PI,3,?£  * 2 ; uiig*  A.)  * - ' L"  - - 

' .'fBABREL  iroTJEUPTECE.  —Unscrew  the  'ba.rrel  mouthpiece-  (89)  r I e.nie'n- 
b-cr'lng  that  the  thread  on  this  piece'  is  lei  t- handed . 

BARREL. --Drive  out  the  "barrel  (73)  from  the  radiator  (78). 
(This  operation  may  conveniently  be  accomplished  before  removing 
the  barrel  mouthpiece  by  unscrewing  the  latter  part  way  and  thru 
allowing  the  barrel  and  radiator  to  drop  from  a height  of  two  or 
three  feet  on  to  a solid  piece  of  wood,  striking  on  the  front  end 
of  the  barrel  mouthpiece-  The  weight  of  the  radiator  dropping 
from  this  height  will  usually  loosen  the  barrel  sufficiently  so 
that  it  can  be  simply  withdrawn  by  hand  from  the  radiator,  after 
the  mouthpiece  has  been  removed.) 

GAS  CHAMBER  BAND. --Lift  out  the  gas  chamber  hand  (83)  frorr._ 
its  recess  in  the  radiator*.  The  stripping  of  the  barrel  group  is 
now  complete.  > 


ASSEMBLING 

By  reversing  the  operations  just  given  for  stripping',  the 
assembling  of  the  gun  is  readily  and  quickly  carried  out.'  The 
following  points,  however,  should  be  noted: 

1.  Be  sure  that  the  gas  chamber  band  (83)  is  correctly  in- 
serted into  its  place  in  the  radiator  before  the  barrel  (76)  is 
pushed  home  and  that  the  barrel  is  turned  so  that  the  gas  port'  (a) 
is  at  the  bottom. 

2.  In  replacing  the  bolt  and  operating  rod  the  cam  slot. in 
the  bolt  (37)  is  slipped  over  the  striker  (50);  and  the  feed  oper- 
ating stud  (31)  is  screwed  into  the  bolt  as  far  as  it  will- go. 

3.  After  inserting  the  bolt,  rod  and  charging  handle  (38)., 
the  charging  handle  is  then  carried  forward  to  the  extreme  end  of 
its  stroke  before  the  gear  casing  (61)  is  swung  up  into  place  and 
the  rack  engaged. 

4.  The  mainspring  is  wound  up  by  engaging  the  rack  and  gear, 
disengaging  the  guard  and  pulling  back  on  the  charging  handle 
until  the  required  tension  is  obtained.  The  gear  is  then  disen- 
gaged, the  charging  handle  moved  completely  forward  the  gear  re- 
engaged and  the  guard  pushed  home. 

5.  To  reduce  the  tension  of  the  mainspring  proceed  as  follows: 

Remove  the  buttstock. 

Disengage  both  guare£  and  gear. 

Move  the  charging  handle  part  way  back. 

Reengage  the  gear  and  guard. 

Replace  the  buttstock. 


MAINSPRING  TENSION 


The  ideal  condition  exists  when  the  strength  of  the  mainsprin 
exactly  balances  the  opposing  force  of  the  gas  striking  the  piston 
head.  When  this  condition  is  realized  all  parts  of  the  gun  are 
subjected  to  a minimum  of  shock  and  wear.  The  attainment  of  the 
exact  point  of  balance  is  of  no  practical  importance,  for  the  gun 
will  operate  satisfactorily  over  a wide  range  on  either  side  of _ 
this  point.  Besides,  the  exact  point  is  subject  to  constant  slight 
fluctuations,  due  to  the  variable  frictions  caused  by  oil  or  lacx 
of  oil  and  the  accumulation  or  removal  of  foreign  matter  within 
the  mechanism.  But  a little  attention  paid  by  the  gunner  toward 
getting  an  approximate  balance  between  gas  and  spring  will  be  wel 
repaid  in  increased  reliability  of  action  and  longer  life  of  the 
gun'  parts. 

For  a given  setting  of  the  gas  regulator  the  low  limit  for 
the  working  tension  of  the  mainspring  is  the  point  at  which  mis- 
fires occur.  The  high  limit  is  reached  when  the  force  of  the  gas 
is  no  longer  sufficient  to  drive  back  the  mechanism  far  enough  to 
feed  the  succeeding  cartridge.  The  gun  will  operate  on  any  spring 
tension  between  these  limits. 

At  the  approximate  point  of  balance  the  bolt  and  rod  barely 
touch  the  butt  tang  at  the  rear  end  of  their  stroke-  Below  this 
point  the  butt  tang  is  being  hammered  with  unnecessary  force  anc 
above  it  the  action  of  the  gun  is  faster  than  normal. 

As  already  pointed  out,  conditions  inside  the  gun  may  vary 
the  point  of  balance,  hence  it  is  sometimes  advisable  to  increase 
the  spring  tension  in  order  to  overcome  some  added  friction  or 
prevent  misfiring;  or  to  slow  down  the  rate  of  fire  by  slightly 
decreasing  the  tension. 

An  average  working  tension  for  the  mainspring  is  between 
twelve  and  fifteen  pounds,  as  measured  by  holding  back  the  trigger 
and  pulling  back  on  the  charging  handle  with  a small  spring 
balance  such  as  is  supplied  with  the  gun. 


S TARDARB IZED  OPERA  TI  ON 

GEN 


■Spade*  Grip  ' 
Item  A. 

B. 


Tang 

Latch 


Operation  2- 

Body  Cover 

Item’ A-  Cartridge  Guide  Spring 

B.  Stop  Pawl,  left  #1 
C-  Stop  Pawl,  right  #2 
D-  Magazine  Pawl  Spring 


Operation  3. 

Pistol  Grip  and  Trigger 
Item  A.  Guard 

B.  Sear 

C.  Sear  Axis  Pin 

D.  Trigger  and  Trigger  Axis  Pin 

E.  Plunger 

F.  Trigger  Spring 


Operation  4, 

Feed  Arm 

Item  A.  Feed' Arm  Latch 

B.  Feed  Pawl  and  Spring 

C.  Feed  Pawl  Spring  Stud  (tallest) 

D.  Feed  Pawl  Stud  (middle) 

E.  Feed  Pawl  Stop  Stud  (smallest) 

Operation  5. 

Cocking  Hangle 


Operation 

Bolt 


6 . 

Item  A. 

B. 

C. 

ID- 


Feed  Arm  Acting 
Extractors 
Camway  Groove 
Resistance  Lugs 


Stud 


Operation  7. 

Piston  Rods 
Item  A- 

B- 


C. 


D- 


E. 


Piston  End 
Striker  Pin 
Rack 

Sear  Bent 
Striker  Post 


Operation  8. 

Return  Spring  Group 

Item  A.  Pinion  Pawl 

B-  Tension  Screw 

C. .  Piston  Casing 

D.  Pinion 

E.  Return  Spring  Case 

F.  Return  Spring 


-2- 


Oper-ation  10- 
Body 

Item  A.,  Ejector  Cover 
Ejector 

C-  Safety  Catch  Plates 

Operation  11.  ■ 

Pawl s . 

Stop  Pawl  left  #1 

Stop  Pawl  right  #2 

Peed  pawl  #3 

The  Magazine  rotates  clockwise-  Pawl  #1  prevents  the 
magazine's  turning  anticlockwise. 

Pawl  2 prevents  the  magazine’s  turning  more  than  one 
space  at  a time. 

Pawl  #3  is  the  feed  pawl  which  pushes  the  magazine  arour 

Operation  12- 

Barrel  Group. 

Item  A-  Gas  Regulator  Key 
B.  Gas  Regulator 


Operation  13- 

Clamp  Ring 

Item  A.  Radiator  Casing  Pront  End 
B.  Radiator  Casing  Rear  End 

Operation  14. 

Gas  Cylinder. 

Operation  15. 

Gas  Chamber. 

Operation  16. 

Barrel  Mouthpiece  Left  Hand  Thread 

(Use  Parrel  mouthpiece  spanner.) 

Operati on  17 . 

Knock  Out  Barrel 

Item  A.  Radiator  Pins 

B.  Gas  Chamber  Band 


A8 


6th  $ k.  3^3  fed#  , P i 


Care  «f  Spares  agd  Inspection  »f  Gun. 

The  c . re  of  spare  ~>arts  is  a very  important  matter. 

Spares  should  be  checked  over  atv-least  once  a week,  and 
inspected  by  the  Officer  i/c  of  Guns. 

After  checking,  they  should  be  wirapped  in  greased  paper 
and  returned  to  the  receptacles  provided. 

On  no  account  should  they  be  left  lying  loosely  in  the 
large  boxes. 

The  lids  of  gun  boxes  have  been  noticed  during  visits  to 
the  Expeditionary  Force  to  be  sometimes  lying  on  the  floor  of 
the  hangars,  so  allowing  dust,  etc.  to  enter  the  mechanism  of a the 
guns  and  magazines.  This  could  be  obviated  if  in  some  manner  the 
lids  were  hinged  to  the  boxes. 

This  could  be  done  by  means  of  ordinary  "Butt"  hinges,  or 
by  using  leather  or  other  suitable  material.  The  lids  should 
never  be  left  off  the  boxes  and  this  would  obviate  their  loss. 

Having  in  view  the  fact  that  some  little  time  is  always 
needed  to  get  a machine  away  from  the  ground,  it  would  not  seem 
necessary  to  keep  guns  mounted  on  machines,  or  standing  in  arm 
racks.  They  could  be  kept  in  their  boxes  until  the  time  arrives 
for  their  need. 


Weekly  Inspection  of  Guns. 

Guns,  magazines  and  spares  should  be  inspected  by  the 
Officer  i/c  guns  at  le:ast  bnoe  a week.  Every  gun  should  be 
stripped  and  parts  laid  out  for  inspection. 

This  w ill  necessitate  the  gas  cylinder  being  removed, 
being  the  .only  occasion  upon  which  this  will  be  necessary, 
whs*  the  gun  has  fired  a total  of  about  500-600  rounds. 


this 

ex««P* 


LUBRICATION  OP 


Mr 


THE  LEWIS-  MACHINE-GUN 


Owing  to  the  extremely  low  temperature  experienced  at  high 
altitudes  during  winter  months  too  much  oil  must  not  bee  applied 
to  guns. 


Only  the  essential  working 


nart 


should  sLi: 


.v  he  oiled, 


these  are: 


and  striker  posi: 


Bolt,  camway  groove 
Head  of  piston 
Worm  of  operating  stud 
Slot  in  feed  arm  for  operating  stud 
Under  surface  csS  feed  arm 
Peed  pawl  (where  it  pivots  on  stud) 
Trigger  mechanism 
St  op 'pawl  (at  pivot) 

Rihs  on  under  side  of  feed  cover 
Teeth  on  main  spring  casing  on  piston 
Recoil  lugs  and  their  recesses. 


Lubrication  of  magazines 


The  magazines  should  be  taken  separately  and  spun  on  a load- 
ing handle,  to  see  if  they  work  freely.  A little  oil  should  be 


■vP 


the 
t ha  t 


not 


applied  to  the  junction  of  the  outer  and  center  port  ions,  ot 
magazines  and  catches.  The  lattei  should  be  tested  to  sc 
its  springs  work  freely  as  cases  have  been  found  of  the  catch 
returning°to  its  proper  position  end  so  failing  to  lock  the 
magazine  to  magazine  part. 

On  no  account  should  the  cartridges  be  lubricated  as  this 
may  cause  abnormal  pressure  in  the  chamber  upon  firing. 


The 


oil  to  be  used  for  the  gams  is  of  a special  type  known 
as  oil  for  low  temperatures  for  Lewis  Machine-Guns.  This  oil  has 
been  adonted  "after  a long  course  of  experiments,  as  the  service 
rifle  oil  is  liable  to  coagulate  at  the  low  temperature  and  intex- 
fere  with  the  free  working  of  the  gun. 

* 

The  soecial  oil  has  sufficient  viscosity  to  ensure  adherence 
to  th°  working  parts  whilst  at  the  same  time  it  is  of  such  a thin 
nature  that  it  has  not, been  found  to  clog  the  working  of  the  gun 
at  a temperature  of  11'" F * Sewing;  machine,  or  instrument  oil  will 

take  the  place  of  ordinary  rifle  oil,  but  they  must  he  applied  to 
^ just  -orevioufj  to  its  going  up  'in  a machine,  otherwise  the 


the  gun 


oil  will  have  run  off;  the  working  parts  and  the 
sufficient  lubrication. 


gun  will  net  havs 


Care  and  Cleaning  of  Gun  Magazine,  Spares,  Etc. 

1 st.  If  less  than  800  rounds  is  fired,  strip  as  far  as  the 
group , t ake  out  gas  regulator.  . ^ 

G Lon 1 if  us e b o i 1 in  sg  y,m ter.  \ 


I\;7  nrp  t.~h  ft.Vl 


'8 

\\  j- 

' ouhds  --  ven 


< min  fc  a i -tv 


AG 

2ndt<,  M ore  than  300  rounds  — you  completely  strip  and  pour 
tool l'ing  water  down  to  serrel  and  gas  cylinder',  and  smear  all 
parts  with  oil. 

Cleaning  Before,  Firing. 

1st  . Completely  strip,  dry  and  clean  it  all. 

I| 

2nd  . Dry  the  barrel. 

3rd.  As  little  oil  as  possib  le  to  toe  used. 

M aga^in  e . 

If.  t he  magazines  are  not  loaded,  clean  them  and  test 
them  once  a day. 

If  thhy  are  loaded,  empty, clean  them,  test  and  re-mi 
at  least  oncne  a week. 

Spare  Parts . 

Sho  uld  toe  unpacked,  cleaned  and  layed  out  for  inspect- 
ion for  the  Machine  Gun  Inspector,  and  oiled  and.  repacked. 

Cleaning  After  Dir ing . 

To  thoroughly  glean  the  gun  alter  firing  hall  arrmumtion 
the  pr otreddr e should  toe  as  follows :- 

1.  Strip  the  gun,  leaving  only  the  barrel  mouthpiece,  gar 
chamber,  and  radiator  on  the  barrel-  Tne  gas  chamber  should  nc 
be  unscnev^ed  unless  absolutely  necessary,  as,  if  it  is  -constant 
ly  removed,  the  thread  will  become  worn. 

2.  To  clean  the  barrel: 

(a))  Remove  superficial  fouling  by  means  of  dry 
flannelette. 

(to)  If  possible,  run  boilng  water  through  the  barrel 
to  remove  internal  fouling. 

(c)  Thoroughly  dry  the  barrel  with  clean  flannelette 
anduf inally  oil  the  bore. 

( d ) On  the  next  and  alternate  days  for  ten  days  the 
barrel  should  be  cleaned  out  with  dry  flannel- 
ette and  re-oiled.  To  do  this  it  is  not  necess- 
ary to  strip  the  gun. 

If  the  barrel  is  in  bad  condition  the  double  pull  through 
with  well  o iled  gauxe  may  be  used,  the  subsequent  treatment 
being  the  same  as  given  above  in  ( c ) and( d ) . 

A brush  may  also  be  used  on  a cleaning  rod  when  required, 

3.  To  clean  the  gas  cylinder. — If  the  fouling  is  bad  t. 
wire  brush  should  be  used  om  tne  wooden  cleaning  rod.  This  she 
be  followed  by  a piece  of  clean  flannelette  wrapped  round  the.  v 


— 


1A  CHIDE  GUNS 


Questions  on  Eirst  Week  Work, 


1.  Compare  the  Vickers  and  Lewis  machine  guns  covering  the 
following  points: 

(a)  How  the  force  which  operates  the  mechanism  is 
obtained . 

(b)  Method  of  cooling  the  barrel, 

(c)  Type  of  magazine  and  number  of  rounds  which  may 
be  fired. 

(d)  Weights  of  guns. 

(e)  How  is  rate  of  fir ing ' regulated, 

2.  State  at  least  three  features  of  the  Lewis  gun  which  makes  it 
patft .icularly  suitable  for  use  on  the  airplane. 

3.  Into  what  four  groups  may  the  Lewis  Machine  gun  be 
conveniently  divided? 

4.  Name  the  parts  included  in  first  group, 

5.  " " " " " second  " 

6.  " " " " " third  " 

7.  Describe  the  barrel. 

8.  What  three  functions  has  the  barrel  mouthpiece? 

9.  What  is  the  radiator  made  out  of  and  the  advantages 
gained  by  it? 

10.  Home  the  gas  fittings. 

11.  Describe  the  receiver. 

12.  A - Explain  how  the  gas  chamber  and  regular  cup  is  assembled. 

B - How  is  adjustment  made  of  these  parts? 

C - Why  do  we  have  this  adjustment? 


Questions  on  Working  Parts. 

13.  Hame  the  parts  of  the  Lewis  gun  included  in  the  working  parts. 

14.  Give  the  names  of  five  parts  of  the  operating  rod. 

15.  Describe  the  bolt. 

. What  parts  are  assembled  on  the  bolt? 


16 


-2- 


17.  Y/hat  is  the  function  of  the  feed  operating  stud? 

18.  What  parts  are  assembled  on  the  feed  operating  arm? 

19.  What  is  the  function  of  the  feed  operating  arm? 

20.  On  what  part  of  the  gun  are  the  stop  and  rebound  pawls 
as  sembled? 

21*  Name  the  parts  included  in  the  gear  casing  and  mainspring 
groups • 

22.  Name  the  parts  included  in  the  guard  group, 

23.  Y/hat  is  the  function  of  the  safety? 


Questions  on  Stripping. 

24.  (A)  Y/hat  tools  are  necessary  in  stripping  the  Lewis  gun? 

(B)  Describe  each  tool  or  guh  p'art  used  in  Stripping  and 

state  when  it  is  used, 

25.  (A)  Describe  the  stripping  operation  of  the  Lewis  gun  (By 

groups ) . 

(B)  Describe  the  detail  stripping  of  each  group,  step  by  step 
until  the  gun  is  completely  stripped. 

26.  How  do  you  reduce  the  tension  of  the  mainspring  (Give 
detail  operation). 


LECTURE  ON  AMMUNITION  AND  AIMING  - 


All  ammunition  consists  of  four  parts,  the  primer,  shell, 
powder  and  b ct-i.  1 * 

The  Primer  consists  of  three  parts,  the  outside  casing  made 
of  soft  braes  which  is  easily  dented  in  by  the  striker,  the  per- 
cussion powder  and  the  anvil  which  is  hard  brass  to  resist  the 
blow  of  the  striker  and  which  is  made  in  cross  shape  so  the  fired 
powder  ignites  the  shell  powder . The  shell  is  drawn  brass  while 
the  powder  is  a smokeless  powder..  The  ball  which  is  called  steel 
clad  on  armor  piercing  ball  is  made  of  lead  with  a copper  nickle 
jacket,  the  nickle  being  about  50^  of  the  copper  nickle  alloy* 

The  function  of  the  primer  is  to  fire  the  powder,  the  shell 
to  hold  the  primer,  powder  and  ball,  and  the  powder  to  give  velocity 
to  the  ball  while  the  ball  or  bullet  does  the  work*  The  bullet  may 
be  solid  or  an  explosive  bullet  and  in  the  latter  case  the  powder 
in  an  explosive  bullet  is  only  sufficient  to  split  the  bullet  into 
pieces,  the  energy  in  the  bullet  doing  the  damage. 

There  are  four  kinds  of  shells  used,  the  ball  catridge, 
blank  catridge,  dummy  catridge  and  the  guard  catridge.  The  ball 
catridge  is  the  one  used  in  war,  the  blank  for  sham  battles,  the 
dummy  for  practice  in  loading  and  the  guard  catridge  for  home  use 
on  strike  duty.  The  difference  between  the  ball  catridge  and  guard 
catridge  are  that  the  guard  catridge  uses  a lead  bullet  instead  of 
a steel  clad  arid  less  powder  so  that  its  velocity  is  1100  feet  per 
second  instead  of  2700  feet  per  second-  The  reason  for  having  a 
lead  bullet  at  a low  velocity  is  that  shooting  is  done  at  close 
range  and  it  is  desired  that  the  bullet  will  stop  when  it  hits  into 
target  and  do  no  further  damage  as  a ste-.l  clad  ball  might  kill 
three  or  four  persons  before  it  would  stop. 


Compar ison  of  the  1903  and  1906  model : 


Catridge . 
Wt.  of 

ball . 

Wt-  of  powder. 

Ye  loo 

ity 

of 

ball. 

Barrel 

press.. 

1903 

220 

grains 

45  grains 

2200 

ft. 

per 

sec , 

49,000 

lbs. 

1906 

150 

tr 

51  " 

2700 

fi 

ff 

it 

45,600 

If 

Guard 

ridge. 

Cat- 

175 

n 

1100 

ii 

n 

11 

The  advantages  of  the  new  model  or  Springfield  rifle  catridge 
ball  is  that  it  is  pointed  and  has  less  resistance  in  traveling  and 
? s more  accurate  and  because  of  the  high  velocity  has  a greater 
dangerous  zone.  Its  disadvantage  is  because  of  its  high  velocity 
it  cause  the  barrel  to  erode  and  because  of  this  erosion  the  barrels 
are  of  shorter  life. 

A very  interesting  fact  in  regards  to  the  resistance  of  the 
air  to  the  bullet  in  relation  to  its  velocity  is  shown  by  the  follow- 
ing diagram  of  the  exponent  and  velocity  curve. 


-2- 


The  resistance  R is  equal  to  a constant 
bullet  times  the  Velocity  V to  the  power  N.  R " C 


to  nature  of  the 


Vn 


second  n 
veloc x tj 


At  1100  ft.  per 
is  only  ahou 


T 1 ~ 

O J.  O - 


second  n 
Tb  i s 


is  ,5  while  at  22  or  2300  ft.  per 
shows  you  the  advantages  of  a high 


ity  of  a high 
to  increase  the 


^ bullet  in  that  the  power  to  increase  the  veto* 

velocity  bullet  is  not  in  proportion  as  great,  as  it  is 
velocity  of  slot;  velocity  bullet  a given  amount*  . , 

Before  taking  up  aiming  there  is  one  pointy  which  you  may  be 
asked  to  make  clear  to  some  person  that  is  why  the  shell  is  ma^e  lar- 
ger than  the  bullet  or  ball.  The  reason  is  that  m order  to  have 
enough  pc  wee: 


aniouii 


'OOWUO 


to' give" the  bullet  a certain  velocity  it  takes  a certain 

certain  space  or  volume  in  order  not 


wh  i c h o c c ur>  i e s a 


to  have  a long  shell  which  would  mean  an  increase  m the  ieng  m oj. 
the  barrel  the  shell  is  made  larger  around  so  as  to  hold  this  powder 
and  leave  as  much  as  possible  of  the  barrel  length  so  that  the  bullet 
will  have  the  force  of  the  powder  behind  it  longer. 

AIMING-  Oh  SIGHTING  ♦ 

One  cf  the  important  elements  that  enters  into  giving  one 


supe 


• i o : 
v 


•ity  over  his 


enemies  m 

..V 


the  use  of  a gun  of  any  description, 
is  in  knowing  just  where  his  shot,  is  going  to  hit  when  he  piesses 
the  trigger.  This  superiority  is  gained  by  what  vie  call  aiming  or 
sighting  of  the  gun,  but  this  aiming  includes  more  than  just  sighting 
through  the  sights  at  the  target,  it  includes  the  setting  of  the . 
rear  sight  to  take  into  account  the  effect  of  certain  forces  acting 
o n the  bul let. 


fi: 


The  Fc r css : . 

There  are  three  forces  that  act  on  a bullet,  when  it  is 
from  a stationary  position  that  cause  it  to  go  in  a curved  path. 
These  forces  are:  the  drift  of  the  bullet  to  the  right  due  to  its 
rotation  about  its  long  axis,  the  drift  due  to  wind,  and  drop  due 
to  gravity, 

I) r i ft  Due  to __R ot a t ion : . 

- Yfnen  a buTTet  leaves  the  barrel  of  a rifle,  it  is^  given 
a rotation  around  its  long  axis  by  the  rifling  of  the  barrex  an^ 

this  rotation  of  the  bullet  causes  it  to  drift  to  the  right,  1S 

£r if t is  taken  care  of  to  some  extent  by  the  manufacturer  in  se  ting 
the  sights  on  the  gun  at  the  time  of  manufacturing;  that  is,  he  sets 
the  zero  line  of  sight  to  make  a small  angle  witn  the  line  of  fire 
sc  that  the  drift  to  the  right  only  directs  the  bullet  so  it  hits 
the  target.  In  a.eroplane  fighting  this  drift  due  to  rotation 
of  the  bullet  is  neglected  as  the  range  of  firing  should  not^ exceed 
over  400  yards  and  at  that  distance  witn  a small  caliber  bullet, 
which  travels  at  rate  2600  ft,  per  second,  the  drift  which  is  not 

corrected  for  by  the  sights  is  not  very  appreciable  and  would  not 

cause  the  bullet  to  miss  its  mark.  (Draw  diagram  on  board  of  line 
of  sight). 


-3- 

Drift  due  to  Wind : 

Here  again  is  a force  which  need  not  be  taken  into  con- 
sideration in  aeroplane  work,  because  of  the  short  ranges  which 
aeroplane  fighting  has  to  deal  with.  Although  the  bullet  may 
drift  a little  to  the  right  or  left  due  to  the  wind,  in  a 400 
yard  range  or  under  it  would  hardly  be  noticeable.  It  is  useless 
to  try  and  set  the  sight  to  correct  for  the  wind  because  not  only 
is  drift  small  in  400  yards  but  the  aviator  can  not  judge  the 
direction  and  velocity  of  the  wind  when  flying  due  to  the  strong 
wind  which  hits  him  in  the  face  made  by  the  velocity  of  the  aeroplane* 
A distributing  fire  will  take  into  account  an  error  made  by  the 
wind  same  as  a.  searching  fire  will  take  into  account  an  error  made 
in  sighting  or  setting  the  sight  to  overcome  the  drop  due  to 
gravity. 

D is t ri  bu tin g Fire : 

Distributing  fire  means  moving  the  gun  from  rightb  left 
or  left  to  right  to  cover  the  enemies  front,  which  is  used  in 
aeroplane  fighting  to  take  into  account  the  relative  changes  in  the 
positions  of  the  fighting  planes. 

Searching  Dir e : 

Searching  fire  means  raising  and  lowering  of  the  barrel 
of  the  rifle  or  gun  to  take  into  account  the  depth  of  the  enemies 
flank,  and  is  used  to  some  extent  in  aeroplane  fighting  to  make  up 
for  the  error  in  estimating  distance  between  the  two  machines  and 
relative  changes  cf  this  distance. 

prou  Due  to  Gravity; 

Before  taking  up  the  setting  of  the  sight  to  take  into 
account  the  action  of  gravity  on  the  bullet  a brief  review  of  the 
ballistic  properties  of  the  machine  gun  will  be  given  here  in  order 
to  show  what  effect  gravity  may  have  on  it.  The  bulley  velocity 
on  leaving  the  gun  or  muzzle  velocity  is  2600  ft.  or  866  yards  per 
second,  which  means  that  the  bullet  will  travel,  400  yard  range, 
which  aviators  have  found  to  be  the  maximum  range  where  hits  may 
be  obtained,  in  | of  a second.  Now  gravity  causes  the  bullet  to 
drop  regardless  of  its  velocity  at  a certain  acceleration,  and  the 
drop  at  any  range  is  equal  to  one  half  of  the  force  of  gravity 
times  the  square  of  the  time  it  takes  the  bullet  to  travel. 

S r -g-  g t2  = 16  t2 

The  drop  in  feet  of  the  bullets  in  the  ranges  which  you 
will* have  to  deal  with  iu  aeroplane  fights  are  (draw  diagram  on 
board)  5-|-  ft.  at  4G0  yards,  2 ft.  at  300  yards,  1 ft.  at  200  yards, 
and  any  range  less  than  two  hundred  yards  you  oan  call  it  the 
bullet  does  not  drop  enough  to  make  any  difference-  When  you 
erter  the  firing  period,  which  will  last  only  about  6 to  8 seconds, 
you  will  not  have  time  to  change  your  sight  to  take  into  account 
the  changes  in  the  distances  between  the  two  machines  so  you  must 
determine  what  sight  you  will  use,  that  is,  if  you  use  400  yard 
range  sight  or  4 as  it  is  designated  on  sight  (see  figure  1) 
scale  you  will  want"  to  aim  at  the  level  of  the  point  you  wish  to  hit 
and  as  the  machines  close  as  at  300  yards.  If  ft.  lower  on 

your  target  and  at  200  yards  2 -g-  feet  lower  which  is,  if  the  man  is 
sitting,  at  his  feet. 


-4- 


Boar  Sight: 

Figure  1 shews  a view  of  the  rear  sight  of  a machine  gun. 

It  is  graduated,  off  so  that  when  the  rider  is  indexed  to  the  diff- 
erent figures  which  represent  number  of  100  yards  the  target  is 
off,  the  line  of  fire  will  be  raised  above  the  line  of  sight  so 
that  the  bullet  will  hit  the  mark.  You  will  notice  on  the 
sight  as  the  range  increases  the  distance  between  100  yard  line 
marks  increases  because  the  drop  is  great  in  proportion  to  the 
square  of  the  time*  S - | g » It  also  means  a mistake  of  100 

yards  in  estimating  distance  at  1000  yards  is  more  serious  than 
100  yards  mistake  in  300  yards,  or  at  I0C0  yards  and  1100  yards 
the  difference  in  drop  is  4-g-  ft.  which  200  yards  and  300  yards 
mean  only  1 ft. 

Aiming,  Normal  Sight : 

We  will  now  discuss  a few  points  on  aiming  so  that  Then  you 
get  the  machine  gun  to  use  you  will  take  advantage  of  training 
yourselves  in  the  proper  method  to  use  in  sighting.  Whether  you 
use  the  peep  sight  or  normal  sight  regarding  results  in  firing  can 
be  obtained  only  when  the  same  amount  of  the  front  sight  is  taken 
each  time,  as  you  can  readily  see  from  the  diagrams  on  chart 
(Figures  2,  3,  4).  Figure  2 represents  the  fine  sight  being  used 
which  will  cause  the  bullet  to  go  low  and  figure  4 the  full  sight 
which  causes  the  bullet  to  go  high.  Although  occasionally  men  will 

be  found  who  ge't  excellent  results  by  using  the  fine  sight,  the 
average  man  can  not,  and  this  form  of  sight  is  not  recommended. 

The  so  called  full  sight  should  never  be  used  under  any  circumstances 
and  we  only  show  it  to  you  for  the  purpose  of  pointing  out  a fault 
to  be  carefully  avoided.  The  normal  sight  which  you  should  always 
use  is  the  sight  shown  in  Figure  3 when  the  top  of  the  front  sight 
is  on  a line  with  the  top  and  in  the  center  of  the  rear  sight  notch 
and  aligned  upon  the  point  of  aim. 


M 


_ Linf  of  Sight 

_ UH£  OE.  FM1E 


Alika  vs  use  Normal  Sight 


Line  2£— £'SE- 

Foll  Sight  Causes  BuLLer  to  go  High 


/Va '£ 


Normal. 


Fu  t.  L 


Senior  Wing. 

You  should  have  these  notes . 
For  each  week  as  listed, 


Week  1. 

#8 ,set 
’ #9  set 
#10  " 
#11  " 


Fighting  in  the  Air. 

Problems  in  Aiming. 

Preparing  gun  for  firing  and  cleaning. 
Stoppages  and  jams. 

6 copies  of  sheets. 


Week  2.  None 


Week  3.  None 


Week  4. 

#12  set. 


Firing  Lewis  Gun. 
Operation  of  the  Gun. 
3 sheets  copy. 


Week  5. 

#13  set. 


#14  set. 


Preparing  Lewis  gun  for  flight. 

Care  of  gun  after  flight. 

2 sheets  copy. 

Standard  Tests  in  Machine  Gun  Training 

3 sheets  Copy. 


FIGHTING  IN  THE  AIR. 

Col.  L.  W.  B.  Rees,  R.  F.  C.  & R.  A.,  No.  32  Squadron  R.  F.  C. 

These  notes  are  based  on  experience  of  last  year,  so  that  it 
Is  impossible  to  lay  down  any  hard  and  fast  rules,  as  the  conditions 
alter  so  fast.  The  deductions  are  based  on  the  experiences  of  many 
R „ F.  C - Officers,  to  whom  I am.  greatly  indebted* 

In  the  shooting  problems  the  results  arecnly  close  approxi- 
mations. It  has  been  taken  that  the  bullet  does  r.ot  lag,  due  to 
relative  speed  of  air  and  machine. 

COMPARISON  OF  DUTIES: 

Both  the  enemy  and  ourselves  divide  the  machines  into  two 
distinct  classes*  We  both  have  the  Reconnaissance  and  the  Fighting 
machines . 

By  Reconnaissance  machines  I mean  those  that  do  reconnaissance 
proper,  wireless,  photography,  and  bombing. 

The  Fighting  machines  are  used  for  fighting  only. 

I do  not  mean  tosay  that  the  Fighter  does  nto  do  his  best 
to  see  what  is  going  on,  or  that  a Reconnaissance  machine  does  nt 
sometimes  fight,  but  their  primary  uses  are  as  stated. 

The  chief  difference  in  these  types  is  that  the  Reconnaissance 
machine  is  usually  a weight  carrier,  so  that  it  can  not  manoeuvre 
quickly.  It  may  be  able  to  "protect”  itself  very  effectively  but 
is  so  designed  that  the  view  for  fighting  is  bad,  or  its  method  of 
fighting  does  nt  lend  itself  to  "offensive"  tactics. 

The  Fighter,  on  the  other  hand,  is  built  solely  for  the  purpose 
of  attacking  and  bringing  down  the  Enemy's  machines,  and  he  carries 
armament  of  an  "offensive  nature". 

The  Fighting  machines  are  used  for  Patrol,  and  for  escorting 
the  Wireless,  Bombing,  and  Reconnaissance  machines. 

The  Enemy  uses  his  machines  differently  to  ourselves.  His 
Reconnaissance  machines  come  over  our  side  of  the  Lines  only  at  long 
intervals;  they  seldom  come  over  far,  they  travel  at  great  heights 
and  unaccompanied.  They  are  so  fast  that  only  our  fastest  machines 
can  catch  them.  If  fired  on  they  immediately  dive  for  the  Lines,  or 
for  the  nearest  Anti-Aircraft  Battery  or  Machine  Gun,  As  every 
village  near  the  Lines  has  its  Machine  Gun  it  means  that  the  machines 
can  dive  almost  anywhere  so  as  to  get  a covering  fire  from  the  ground 

These  machines  very  seldom  turn  and  fight;  very  rightly  going 
straight  back  with  their  information. 

It  might  be  remarked  here  that  if  machines  dive  steeply, 
flames,  due  to  excess  of  petrol,  come  out  of  the  exhaust.  The  front 
cylinders  ejlIso  oil  up,  so  that  clouds  of  smoke  come  out  of  the  exhaus 
as  well.  f the  dive  continues  for  any  length  of  time  the  machine 
must  land  on  account  of  oily  or  sooted  plugs,  and  not  on  account  of 
any  aid  which  they  may  have  obtained  from  the  Lewis  gun. 

Many  of  the  Enemy  Pilots  are  heavily  handed,  so  that  the 
machine  turns  over  on  landing,  if  the  ground  is  at  all  rough. 

Our  Reconnaissance  machines,  on  the  other  hand,  are  continually 
over  the  enemy  lines,  and  they  go  so  far  afield  that  they  have  to 
turn  and  fight  when  attacked. 

The  Enemy  Fighters  never  come  our  side  of  the  Lines,  so  that 
our  Fighters  have  to  g o for  miles  to  get  a fight.  This  affects  the 
tactics  in  so  much  as  the  Enemy  can  risk  getting  hit  on  the  engine  or 
thrugh  the  tank,  knowing  that  he  will  suffer  no  mre  than  an  ordinary 
forced  landing.  Our  Fighters  have  to  be  more  careful,  as  hits  on 


the  engine  usually  mean  that  the  crew  of  the  machine  must  he  taken 
prisoners . 

For  this  reason  we  must  make  better  shooting  than  the 
Enemy.  We  must  fight  to  the  very  best  advantage,  and  having  ■ 

decided  to  open  fire  we  must  aim  to  disable  the  Enemy  during  the  first 
few  rounds,  or  at  any  rate  during  the  first  drum*  There  should  be 
no  longrange  shooting,  and  if  we  can  manage  to  disable  the  Enemy 
quickly,  there  will  be  no  need  to  go  out  of  action  in  the  middle  of 
an  engagement  while  the  drum  is  being  changed. 

One  will  not  be  able  to  effect  this  without  great  training 
and  much  thought . 

TYPES  OF  MACHINES : 

The  Enemy  Reconnaissance  machines  are  as  a rule  tractors, 
travelling  at  a speed  of  from  90  to  100  m.p.h.  I do  not  think  that 
they  climb  very  fast,  as  one  seldom  finds  them  travelling  very  low. 

The  Pilot  sits  in  front  of  the  Observer,  and  the  Observer  sits  in  a 
little  barbette.  This  barbette  permits  of  an  all-round  arc  of  fire, 
except  where  it  is  masked  by  the  fusilage  or  planes.  The  top  of  the 
barbette  is  armoured,  which  may  deflect  a few  bullets,  but  is  of  such 
shape  that  it  would  seem  to  be  little  more  than  useless  weight. 

As  these  machines  never  attack,  they  do  not  usually  fire 
ahead.  They  can  fire  at  an  angle  of  45  degrees  with  the  line  of 
flight  ahead.  They  can  fire  over  the  whole  semi-circle  astern.  They 
can  fire  straight  up,  and  fairly  well  straight  down. 

These  machines  use  both  lead  and  armour-piercing  bullets, 
fire  belts  of  perhaps  200  rounds,  and  when  the  belt  is  finished  they  r 
pause  quite  a long  time,  apparently  to  reload. 

When  attacking  these  machines  on  the  Enemy  side  of  the  Lines, 
when  one  is  creeping  up  apparently  unobserved,  the  Enemy  A. A.  Batteries 
fire  ahead  of  their  own  machine,  and  so  call  his  attention  to  the 
danger. 

The  Enemy  Fighting  machines  are  of  four  types. 

The  first  type  is  the  sm%„ll,very  quick  monoplane,  the  small 
Fokker  type.  Apparently  they  are  very  hard  to  fly,  as  the  Enemy  do 
not  seem  to  possess  more  than  two  or  three.  One  can  tell  them  at 
once  at  a distance  on  account  of  their  apparent  speed  compared  with 
the  other  machines  in  the  sky.  The  Americans  say  that  they  are  so 
fast  that  they  can  not  make  a forced  landing  across  country.  This 
may  not  be  so,  but  this  is  the  only  allowable  case  in  which  a few 
long  shots  might  be  fired,  on  the  chance  of  verifying  this  statement. 

They  have  a stream  line  in  front  of  the  propeller,  which 
makes  them  appear  instead  of  the  usual  monoplane 

For  this  reason  they  are  very  hard  to  see  against  the  haze  which 
always  hangs  over  one's  horizon. 

The  Pilot  sits  up  very  high  in  his  nacelle,  so  that  he  gets 
a splendid  view.  He  has  a fixed  gun,  and  can  apparently  fire  only 
straight  ahead. 

The  machines  try  to  creep  up  behind  their  targets  unseen. 

If  seen  or  fired  on  they  dive  immediately  and  come  up  again  after  a 
short  while.  They  do  not  as  a rule  accept  a set  battle. 

ihe  second  type  is  the  machine  a little  larger  than  the 
one  above*  It  also  is  a monoplane,  and  carries  either  a Pilot  alone 
or  Pilot  with  a Gunner.  They  fly  in  flights  of  four  or  six,  and 
travel  at  a great  altitude.  .Then  they  attack  a machine  they  dive  at 
at  firing  the  whole  time,  one  after  the  other.  They  do  not  stop  to 
reload,  but  go  straight  down,  even  if  they  are  not  fired  on.  They 


I 


-3 


do  not  usually  return  to  the  attack.  They  fire  straight  ahead  and 
straight  up  , ;but!’do  J?  ; t.  usual  ly  fire  astern. 

The  third  type  is  the  large  unwieldy  machine,  not  meant  to 
manoeuvre,  hut  which  carries  an  armament  heavier  than  can  he 
carried  in  a small  single-seater.  The  twin-engine  twin-fusilage 
machines  are  of  this  type*  These  machines  have  everything  dup- 
licated and  a practically  all-round  arc  of  fire.  They  are  fairly 
fast  and  are  fairly  good  climbers*  They  are  not  as  useful  as  would 
appear  at  first  sight,  because  machines  attacking  from  a flank  are 
extremely  hard  to  hit. 

The  fourth  type  is  the  slow,  very  heavily  armoured  machine, 
which  can  not  climb  much.  It  carries  a comparatively  heavy  gun  -a 
2-pounder,  1-^-inch  machine  gun,  or  something  after  that  style.  This 
type  is  not  developed,  as  no  machine  can  carry  armour  heavy  enough 
to  be  really  effective. 

Bullets  penetrating  armour  carry  with  them  fragments  of  the 
armour,  so  that  more  damage  is  done,  on  soft  material  (spars, 
tubes,  etc.),  by  bullets  which  have  pierced  armour  than  by  bullets 
which  make  a good  clean  hole. 

THE  USE  OF  A FIGHTER: 

As  I have  m-  itioned  above,  the  duty  of  a Fighter  is  to  put 
the  Enemy’s  machines  out  of  action.  Most  of  the  fighting  takes 
place  on  the  Enemy's  side  of  the  Lines,  so  that  it  is  not  sufficient 
to  make  a machine  land,  as  machines  are  comparatively  easy  to  obtain-. 
Every  effort  should  be  made  to  disable  the  enemy  Pilot,  as  this 
nearly  always  ensures  the  destruction  of  the  machine  as  well,  even 
if  dual  control  is  fitted.  In  any  case,  it  prevents  the  Enemy 
using  his  armament  effectively,  and  stops  the  machine  manoeuvring. 

If  the  Pilot  be  taken  as  the  target,  the  shots  which  miss 
the  target  will  hit  the  Observer  and  engine,  or  may  cause  damage 
to  the  rigging. 

To  be  of  real  use  the  Pilot  of  a Fighter  must  be  extremely 
keen  sighted.  I believe  one  can  intimidate  the  average  Enemy 
Pilot  more  by  showing  that  he  has  been  seen  than  by  doing  anything 
else.  It  is  very  hard  to  see  machines  at  any  distance  at  all, 
yet  there  must  always  be  machines  in  the  air  within  attacking  dis- 
tance. One  can  often  pick  up  the  Enemy  machines  by  finding  out 
what  the  Anti-Aircraft  Batteries  are  attacking.  Machines  have  a 
habit  of  appearing  from  apparently  nowhere,  so  that  if  a Pilot  is 
not  alert  he  is  taken  at  a disadvantage.  If  an  unobserved  machine 
opens  fire  it  takes  atleast  2 seconds  to  pick  him  up  and  to  come 
into  action.  By  that  time  the  Enemy  has  fired  12  rounds,  which  are 
quite  enough  to  do  serious  damage. 

THE  TARGET: 

When  one  sees  a machine  one  is  apt  to  think  that  hits  any- 
where will  be  effective.  One  is  trained  to  imagine  that  a small 
thing,  such  as  a frayed  cable,  is  certain  to  cause  a wreck.  Yet 
machines  go  up  every  day  and  return  absolutely  under  control , but 
having  dozens  or  even  hundreds  of  holes  in  different  places.  It 
should  be  remembered  that  after  being  over  the  Enemy’s  Lines, 
machines  should  be  brought  back  with  the  greatest  care.  Machines 
are  sometimes  wrecked  over  their  own  aerodomes  because  a thoughtless 
pilot  does  a steep  spiral,  perhaps,  not  knowing  that  his  main  spars 
have  been  pierced. 


The  only  useful  target  to  really  attack  is  the  1 o 
himself-  This  target  is  very  small, being  of  a size  about 
1'  6”  x 1'  6",  and  even  then  shots  which  hit  this  target  are  n 
certain  of  putting  the  Pilot  immediately  out  of  action,  There 
one  must  concentrate  one’s  attention  and  one  s shooting 
small  target,  the  Pilot,  till  one  has  attained  one’ s object- 

If  we  attack  a machine  from  directly  m front  or  in  rear 
the  engine  may  cover  the  Pilot's  body,  or  vice  versa.  This  is  tne 
minimum  target  which  the  machine  can  present,  and  any  shots  bitting 
the  target  do  damage,  but  there  is  a lot  of  room  round  the  target 
in  which  shots  which  do  not  actually  strike  do  no  damage. 

Now,  if  we  imagine  a machine  being  attacked  from  the  side, 
or  straight  from  above  or  below.  The  target  which  we  must  aim  for 
still  remains  the  same  small  one,  but  now  the  rounds,  which  bet  ore 
were  non-ef f ect ive , will  hit  the  engine  and  Observer,  and  will 

become  effective.  . - 

This  leads  one  to  suggest  that  the  way  to  attack  is  straign 

at  an  Enemy  from  above,  below  or  from  the  side,  keeping  one’s  own 

machine  end  on  to  him.  . 

It  is  very  hard,  when  looking  at  a machine  in  the  air,  zo 

know  where  the  Pilot  is  sitting.  This  may  sound  incorrect,  but  if 
approaching  from  below  one  sees  only  the  bottom  of  the  Enemy’s 
fusilage,  and  as  the  machine  is  unfamiliar,  the  exact  spot  we  want 
to  hit  is  hidden.  Even  if  we  could  hit  a small  practice  target 
every  time,  the  service  target  of  a similar  size  hidden  behind 
fabric,  is  quite  a different  proposition  to  tackle. 

With  a small  Fighter  we  should  close  as  soon  as  possible, 
keeping  end  on  to  the  Enemy,  so  that  he  will  have  no  chance  of 
setting  any  sights  he  may  have.  We  are  then  never  at  a disadvan- 
tage, and  we  have  the  advantage  of  being  the  attacker.  A machine 
coming  at  one  quickly  always  makes  one  a little  nervous,  especially 
if  one  does  not  know  the  Pilot. 

With  a heavy  machine  it  is  different,  as  a heavy  Fighter 
can  carry  elaborate  sighting  devices.  By  using  his  very  unwieldi- 
ness to  make  the  machine  a stable  gun  platform,  he  has  more  chance 
of  concentrating  his  fire  on  the  target  than  the  little  machine 
which  is  trusting  to  manoeuvre.  Once  a machine  starts  to  manoeuvre. 
Once  a machine  starts  to  manoeuvre  the  shooting  is  upset  till  the 
changes  in  speed  and  direction  become  again  constant. 

If  we  get  a small  Fighter  against  a large  Fighter,  if  each 
is  equipped  with  suitable  armament,  both  machines  should  fall 
together.  But  one  must  remember  that  the  small  Fighter  has  the 
advantage  of  the  initiative,  that  the  large  Fighter  has  a bigger 
area  on  which  hits  will  take  effect,  and  that  it  should  always  be 
possible  to  make  the  large  Fighter  manoeuvre  by  getting  into  a blind 
spot.  Once  the  large  machine  manoeuvres  it  is  at  the  mercy  of  the 
small  one,  because  good  shooting  can  not  take  place  from  a variable 
motion  platform. 


ESTIMATING  RELATIVE  SPEEDS: 

When  two  machines  meet  and  both  manoeuvre  it  is  very  hard 
for  either  to  estimate  the  relative  speed.  Take  the  case  of  two 
machines  of  equal  speed  revolving  round  a fixed  point. 


-5- 


The  relative  motion  is  apparently  nil,  "but  the  actual  re 
.ative  motion  at  the  moment  of  firing  is  practically  the  same  as 
though  each  machine  were  flying  straight. 

Enemy 


.0. 


Our 

(plan)  Machine. 

The  enemy  apparently  sits  on  the  gun  sights  without  motion, 
rut  the  maximum  allowance  for  speed  must  "be  made « 

Then,  again,  as  both  machines  are  banking  over,  it  will  be 
ery  hard  to  estimate  if  there  should  be  an  allowance,  because  the  gun 
.3  apparently  elevated. 

If  one  machine  steers  a straight  course  at  a known  speed 
le  has  something  to  go,  and  can  use  the  sights  and  range  or  speed- 
’inders,  which  he  has  prepared  beforehand. 

HMAMENT : 


The  armament  depends  on  the  type  of  machine,  and  it  should 
>e  borne  in  mind  that  a little  extra  weight  in  machines.,  light  machines 
ispecially,  makes  great  alteration  in  the  climb,  (it  does  not  so  much 
if  fee  t the  speed, ) 

Carry  a primary  and  a secondary  armament,  i-e.,  a Lewis 
;un  and  a stripped  rifle  or  pistol.  If  the  machine  will  take  the 
weight,  carry  at  least  two  guns  for  each  Pilit  and  Gunner.  Guns  used 
.n  pairs  do  not  seem  to  jamb  so  frequently  as  guns  used  singly.  The 
•ifle  can  be  used  for  taking  long  shots,  as  it  does  not  use  ammunition 
it  the  same  rate  as  the  gun  and  is  just  as  unlikely  to  hit. 

Take  up  at  least  five  drums  of  ammunition  per  gun,  as  this 
ihould  account  for  a Plight  of  machines,  with  a drum  to  spare. 

If  rifle  grenades  are  used,  the  range  must  be  very  short-, 
is  the  grenade  is  a very  low  velocity  projectile. 

One  10-lb.  bomb  or  a few  hand  grenades  can  be  dropped  on 
:he  Enemy  machines  from  above,  and  may  save  one  losing  height*  Anyhow, 
:he  Enemy  will  see  the  bomb  falling,  and  not  knowing  how  many  are 
iarrded,  will  keep  clear  from  below.  The  extra  weight  can  always  be 
Iropped  when  quick  climb  is  necessary. 

Keep  any  gadgets  inside  the  machine,  so  as  not  to  affect 
iie  streamline.  Make  certain  that  the  use  of  the  gadget  will  repay 
;he  loss  of  power  due  to  extra  weight  or  head  resistance. 

When  night  flying  carry  dark  glasses,  so  that  the  gun  sights 
lay  be  used,  even  if  one  is  within  the  Enemy’s  searchlight. 

lANGES : 

The  ranges  at  which  fighting  takes  place  may  vary  from  400 
rards  to  4 yards.  It  is  very  hard  to  approach  a machine  to  within  100 

rards  without  being  seen.  Hundreds  of  rounds  are  fired  every  day  at 
lachines  at  ranges  estimated  at  50  yards  or  less  without  doing  any 
iamage.  At  200  yards  one  may  expect  to  get  hits,  and  I have  taken 
ihat  as  the  normal  fighting  range.  I do  not  think  that  there  has  been 
i single  instance  in  which  machines  have  been  brought  down  at  ranges ~ 
iver  400  yards. 


-6 


Thus  we  see  that  it  is  useless  waste  of  ammunitioh  to  fire 
at  long  ranges,  and  that  one  should  try  arid  close  to  within  50  yards 

in  order  to  do  any  damage.  , , 

Do  not  fire  "just  to  show  him  you  are  there'  ; fire  always 

for  effect. 

TRACER  BULLETS: 


When  tracer  bullets  came  in  it  was  thought  that  they  would 
make  close  fighting  impossible.  They  have  not  made  the  difference  a 
one  would  expect.  One  reason  is,  that  it  is  very  hard  to  estimate 
the  range  in  the  air,  just  as  it  is  at  sea.  The  tracers  burn  f or  a 
comparatively  short  time,  so  that  they  go  out  before  hitting  the  targe 
This  means  that  the  bullet  apparently  hits,  but  really  falls  away 
from  the  target. 


( elevation) 

When  firing  to  a flank  the  tracers  appear  to  travel  in  a 
curved  path,  due  to  the  speed  of  the  machine. 


(plan) 

If  you  in  your  younger  days  have  ever  tried  to  concentrate 
the  curved  trajectory  of  the  garden  hose  on  the  nurse  or  gardner , you 
will  know  how  hard  it  is  to  obtain  effective  shooting  if  the  target 
dodges . 

Even  if  we  can  see  the  hits  of  the  bullets,  it  is  very  hard 
to  keep  the  proper  point  of  impact  during  quick  manoeuvre. 

If  tracer  bullets  are  fired  in  the  centre  line  of  the  machine 
the  observation  would  be  much  easier  than  if  they  are  fired  to  a flank. 

BEE ORE  ASCENT: 

% 

All  Gunners  and  Pilots,  if  they  use  guns,  should  make  certai 
themselves  that  the  guns  have  been  properly  cleaned,  oiled,  and  adjuste 
It  is  sometimes  not  realized  by  the  mechanic  in  charge  of  guns  that 
although  on  a warm  day,  on  the  ground,  the  gun  will  work  perfectly, 
having  been  cleaned  with  "Vacuum"  oil,  yet,  when  the  gun  is  taken  and 
kept  at  a great  height,  the  oil  freezes  and  the  gun  jambs. 

I do  not  intend  to  go  into  the  care  and  adjustment  of  the 
Lewis  gun,  but  I must  mention  that  any  deviation  from  the  methods  laid 
down  nearly  always  means  a jamb. 

See  that  the  implements  for  freeing  a jamb  are  carried  in 
the  machine. 

Care  in  gauging  and  selecting  cartridges  makes  for  certain- 
ly of  action. 

The  adjustment  of  the  sights  with  regard  to  the  gun  barrel 


-7- 


must  be  frequently  checked,  both  when  the  gun  is  out,  and  also  in 
the  machine  - Fire  the  gun  from  the  machine  at  ranges  at  which  it 
is  intended  to  get  hits,  and  see  that  the  sights  are  aligned  on 
the  point  of  impact  of  the  shots. 

It  is  also  useful  to  fire  one  or  two  shots  at  a target  on 
the  ground  when  leaving  the  aerodrome,  as  this  checks  the  sighting, 
and  ensures  the  gun  being  cocked.  If  this  is  not  done  one  will 
perhaps  forget  to  cock  the  gun  before  coming  into  action.  (Yes,  it 
has  been  done . ) 

You  can  also  check  any  adjustment  you  have  made  for  allow- 
ing for  your  own  speed. 

Think  out  all  possible  plans  of  attack  before  leaving  the 
ground,  so  that  no  situation  may  be  sprung  on  you. 

Always  attack,  as  then  you  need  not  worry  about  means  of 

defence. 

IDENTIFICATION  OF  MACHINES: 

Take  great  care  in  identifying  machines.  Do  not  take  it  for 
granted  that  any  machine  which  approaches  is  necessarily  an  Enemy. 

The  Fokker  and  Morane,  the  "Two  Tail”  and  the  Caudron,  the  Albatross 
and  the  Curtiss  have  very  much  the  same  silhouette,  especially  if 
seen  from  the  front.  All  machines  are  becoming  more  and  more  alike, 
and  new  types  are  being  flown  every  day. 

If  one  keeps  between  the  sun  and  the  machine  under  obser- 
vation, then  his  marks  become  visible  before  he  can  see  ours*  You 
have  seen  the  halo  which  surrounds  one’s  shadow  when  it  is  cast  on 
haze  or  clouds.  The  phenomenon  takes  place  when  one  is  on  a tower, 
a hill  or  in  the  air.  If  you  kAep  the  Enemy  within  the  black 
patch  in  the  centre  of  the  circle  he  will  probably  not  see  you  till 
you  are  quite  :lose. 

To  prevent  being  caught  like  this  there  is  a service  issue 
of  tinted  glass  for  the  goggles  for  use  in  sunny  weather.  This 
glass  prevents  glare,  and  enables  one  to  see  fairly  well  towards  the 
sun. 

The  Enemy  rounded  cross  in  a white  field  is  something  similar 
to  the  Allied  marks. 


If  glasses  are  used  for  identifying  machines  they  should  not 
magnify  more  than  six  diameters,  the  vibration  of  the  machine  in- 
terferes with  the  view  from  glasses  of  greater  magnification.  Glasses 
of  x 6 magnif ication  are  a service  issue. 

ON  SIGHTING  THE  ENEMY : 

Make  certain  that  the  gun  is  loaded  and  cocked,  so  that  one 
turn  one's  whole  attention  to  the  Enemy. 

If  you  are  flying  a small  Fighting  Scout  you  can  fly  in  any 
direction,  including  straight  up  for  short  distances,  so  that  you  can 
attack  from  anywhere  you  wish. 

A Scout  should  be  able  to  get  within  1000  yards  (or  less)  of 
■the  Enemy  without  being  seen,  if  it  keeps  between  the  Enemy  and  the 
haze  over  the  horizon,  climbing  to  the  attack  as  the  Fokkers  do. 


-8- 


When  you  have  seen  the  Enemy,  do  not  hank  the  machine  more 
than  is  absolutely  necessary-  At  long  ranges  the  sun  shining  on 
the  planes  makes  the  machine  very  visible,  and  at  short  ranges  bank- 
ing makes  one’s  marks  more  visible- 

Keep  end  on  the  Enemy  as  long  is.  possible,-  because  that 
position  is  the  most  invisible,  and  the  end-on  target,  is  t£e  smallest* 

If  the  character  of  a machine  is  doubtful*  the  marking  on 
the  tail  usually  shows  up  before  anything  else. 

Scouts  approaching  from  2000  feet  above  are  very  often  -not 

observed. 

When  within  800  yards  of  the  Enemy  do  not  fly  straight 
unless  you  have  reason  to  think  that  you  are  unobserved,  because  it 
is  not  known. what  range  and  speedfinders  the  Enemy  uses. 

If  there. is  reason  to  think  that  the  Enemy  has  seen  one, 
open  fire  before  the  Enemy,  as  one  always  runs  the  risk  of  being 
hit  by  stray  bullets  at  400  yards  range. 

Close  to  within  100  yards  if  you  can. 

- . ’ Having  decided  to  open  fire,  go  all  out.  This  gives  one' the 

best  chance  of  hitting,  and  intimiiates  the  Enemy. 

The  above  statements  are  in  places  contradictory;  it  depends 
on  one’s  temperament  what  one  should  do. 

Having  taken  every  possible  precaution,  trust  to  one’s  luck 
as  far  as  possible.  It  is  well  known  that  Napoleon  considered 
unlucky  men  of  no  use  as  fighters. 

USEFUL  ENEMY  TACTICS: 

The  single-seater  Fokker  tries  to  approach  from  behind.  If 
seen  or  fired  on  he  dives,  to  come  up  again  a short  time  later.  They 
attack  in  this  fashion  time  after  time. 

The  slightly  larger  Fokkers  dive  at  their  target  from  any 
angle.  Having  fired  they  go  straight  down. 

Roconnaissance  machines  dive  for  the  nearest  A-  A.  Battery 
and  fire  over  their  tails. 

The  heavy  Fighters  aim  at  bringing  all  their  guns  to  bear. 

Machines  seldom  fly  straight  and  make  a proper  attack. 

THE  ENGAGEMENT: 

Open  fire  before  the  Enemy. 

Open  fire  at  the  shortest  possible  range. 

Open  fire  under  the  most  favorable  conditions. 

Try  to  disable  the  Enemy  at  once. 

Close  as  soon  as  you  can,  so  as  to  prevent  the  Enemy  setting 
his  sights  and  taking  aim. 

It  is  useless  expecting  to  hit  successfully  at  ranges  over 
400  yards. 

Reserve  your  fire  till  within  100  yards  of  the  Enemy,  but 
if  discovered  open  fire  before  the  Enemy. 

At  ranges  of  50  yards  and  under,  if  attacking  from  the  flank, 
aim  at  the  Enemy’s  leading  edge  as  you  see  it  (one  or  other  wing 
tip).  This  statement  is  only  a guide. 

If  one  must  collide  go  straight  up,  as  the  Enemy  nearly 
always  goes  straight  down.  Then  if  one  hits  the  Enemy  one  hits  him 
with  one’s  undercarriage. 


-9- 


Do  not  collide  unless  "by  accident.  If  the  Enemy  Pilot  is  dis- 
abled the  Enemy  machine  may  travel  quite  normally  for  a long  time, 
so  that  one  runs  the  risk  of  wrecking  one's  machine  uselessly. 

If  it  is  necessary  to  change  drums,  dive  under  a tractor,  as 
that  upsets  his  aim. 

As  a rule  it  does  not  pay  to  follow  a machine  below  3000  feet. 

At  that  height  the  machine  guns  from  the  ground  become  dangerous, 
and  if  the  Enemy  machine  is  not  disabled  before  that  it  will  probably 
not  be  disabled  at  all. 

If  no  Enemy  is  in  sight  never  fly  straight,  even  on  our  side  of 
the  Lines.  This  prevents  the  Enemy  getting  the  size  of  the  machine 
accurately.  If  the  size  is  known  it  is  very  easy  to  get  the  range 
at  short  distances,  as  used  in  fighting  ih  the  air. 

Do  not  take  anything  for  granted.  Work  out  all  your  own 
deflections,  etc.,  for  your  own  machine.  No  two  machines  fly 
normally  at  the  same  speeds. 

Do  not  get  put  out  when  you  find  that  your  pet  theory  does  not 

work. 

Machines  Meeting. 

Machines  can  move  at  the  present  time  in  any  direction  the 
Pilot  wishes.  The  speeds  of  a Lighting  Scout  may  vary  frp^m  40 
m.p.h.  when  climbing  to  100  m.p.h.  on  the  level,  and  nearly  150 
m.p.h,  when  diving.. 

These  machines  can  change  form  one  speed  and  direction 
other  very  quickly  indeed. 


to  any 


PROBLEMS  IN  AIMING 


In  all  these  problems  the  velocity  of  the  bullet  is  taken  as 
2600  ft.  per  sec.,  or  866  yds.  per  sec. 

1.  Two  tractors  are  flying  parallel  to  each  other  and  in  same 
direction. 

(a)  If  the  speeds  of  both  machines  are  100  m.p.h.  or 
50  yds.  per  sec.,  and  are  200  yds.  apart,  at  what 
point  would  you  aim  to  hit  the  pilot  of  the  other 
machine? 

fb)  If  you  are  in  a machine  going  at  100  m.p.h,  and  the 
enemy’s  machine  is  only  50  m.p.h.  where  would  you 
aim  when  you  passed  him  ICO  yds.  apart? 

(c)  If  you  are  in  a 50  m.p.k»  machine  and  enemy  passes 
you  in  100  m.p.h.  machine  where  would  you  aim  if  he 
passes  you  400  ydsil  off? 

And. 

(ajBirectly  ai  him. 

(b)  Approx.,  3 yds.  or  9 ft.  behind 

the  pilot i 

(c)  Approx.  12  yds.  ih  front  of  the 

pilot . 


2,  Two  machines  flying  at  rate  100  map,h.  are  manoeuvreing 
at  some  altitude  around  a fixed  point  gradually  decreasing 
the  distance  across  the  circle  they  are  describing  till 
they  are  400  yards  apart. 

(a)  At  what  point  will  you  fire  to  hit  the  enemy’s 
pilot  if  you  open  fire  when  400  yds.  apart? 

(b)  If  you  wait  till  200  yds.  apart  what  vail  be  your 
point  of  fire? 

Ans » 

(a;  Approx.  46  yds.  ahead. 

(b)  Approx.  23  yds,  ahead. 


4. 


Suppose  you  were  both  flying 

point . . 

(a)  Where  would  you  airn  it 
at  100  rn.p.h.  when  200 

(b)  If  you  were  both  going 


so  you  would  collide  at  a 

both  were  going  at  same  spee 
yds.  apaft? 
at  different  speeds? 


Ans « 

■“fa)  4t  the  pilot 
/At ' the  .pilot 


5« 


wo  machines  flying  parallel  to  each  other ^oq&^sc^oth^ 
irections  at  rate  100  miles  per  hour  and  pass  each  ot 

13  ( a)  ° what  * le  ad^vi  11  you  have  if  you  fire  when  300  yas. 


(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 


apart? 

When  was sing  each  other? 

When  500  yds  by  each  other?  __ 

How  long  were  machines  in  engagement. 

How  far  apart  were  your  bullets  spaced  4/ 
azine? 


in  nag- 


Ans . 

”Ta)  Approx. 

(b)  Tr 

(c)  " 

(d)  " 
fe)  " 


54  yds. ahead 
11  ' TT  " 

34  1T 

5.66  seconds 
11  yds.  apart 


PROBLEMS  IN  A IKING  (5) 


6 Give  the  answers  to  the  proceeding  problems  if  you  have  a 
sight  on  your  gun  which  takes  into  account  the  speed  of 
your  machine . 

Answers . 


1. 

fa) 

Approx. 

11 

yds . 

ahead 

(h) 

IT 

3 

TT 

TT 

( c) 

IT 

23 

TT 

TT 

2. 

(a) 

Appr ox  * 

23 

yds. 

aheE'.d 

(b) 

IT 

17 

IT 

TT 

3. 

fa) 

Approx , 

11 

yds 

ahead . 

(b) 

IT 

11 

yds. 

to  side 

4. 

fa) 

Approx, 

11 

yds 

ahead. 

5. 

(a) 

Approx. 

17 

yds 

ahead 

fb) 

IT 

5 

TT 

TT 

(c) 

TT 

17 

TT 

TT 

A-4 


SOHO OB  OF  i-HlIIARY  AERONAUTICS-  ' , 

'UNIVERSITY  03'  iLIINO  IS 

ST  GBP  APRS  ART)  JAMBS 

fat  The  cartridge  guide  spring  Breaking 
fb)  The  deflector  hag  full. 

(c)  The  deflector  hag  working  loose. 


Stoppages 


(a) 

(h) 

( c ) 


Faulty  ammunition  and  misfires. 

Wear  on  the  striker  post  or  camway  groove, 
case  hardening  l/3-inch. 

MACHINE  GUNNERS T MOTTO.-  "It  should  he  a 

point  of  honour  with  all  gunneis  co  ^ P 
the  gun  firing  under  all  circumstances. 


Before  teaching  stoppages  it . is  necessary 
to  point  out  to  the  gun  section  that  the 
gun  will  he  much  less  liable  to  scop  rf  ; 
proper  attention  is  paid  to  points  oef ore  , 
during,  and  after  firing.  The  following  in- 
structional kit  is  necessary  for  teaching 
how  to  remedy  stoppages: - 

1.  No.  1 Clip. 

2.  No.  2 Clip. 

3.  Slightly  bulged  empty  case. 

4.  Bulged  cartridge. 

5.  Separate  case. 

6.  Separation  fixed  on  good  round. 

7 . Empty  case 

8.  Empty  case  with  one  notch  in  its  rim., 

9.  Empty  case  with  two  notches  in  its 

rim. 


The  instructor  should  teach  how  to  remedy  ^ 
stoppages  by  first  showing  the  positions  of 
the  cocking  handle  for  the  three  classes  of 
stoppages.  He  should  then  slowly  teach  the 
remedy  for  each  position,  seeing  that  every 
man  is  able  to  do  the  first  remedy  before 
proceeding  to  the  second.  When  a stoppage 
is  set  up,  the  recruit  under  instruction 
should  not  be  allowed  to  watch.  The  gun 
should  be  tapped  off  the  aiming  mark  so  that 
he  will  have  to  relay  after  he  has  remedied 
the  stoppage  before  he  fires.  The  position 
of  the  cocking  handle  should  be  concealed 
from  the  recruit  until  he  is  actually  seat- 
ed at  the  gun  and  has  taken  his  holding. 
When  he  has  completed  the  remedy  - i.e., 
cleared  the  stoppage,  relaid,  and  fired  - 
the  instructor  should  check  the  aim. 


Note.-  With  reference  to  the  methods  of  preparation  of  stopp- 
ages given  in  the  following  pages*  it  has  always  been 
pre- supposed  that  the  gun  is  unloaded  before  the 
stoppage  is  set  up. 


A- 5 


PCS  IT  ION_pF  COCKINC  HAND-iE_ 

1st  Position.-  Cocking  handle  forward.. 
Remedy  of  Stoppage. 


Try  magazine 
(a)  If  fre 


ft) 

( c ) 


If 

If 


change  magazine,  pull  hack  cocking  handle, 

relay,  and  fire.  „ , 

fixed,  pull  hack  cocking  handle,  relay  and  in  . 
many  apparent  mitss-fires  occur,  note  if  cocking 
handle  comes  hack  too  easily  when  remedying  the 
stoppages.  If  so,  unload  without  firing,  te3{j] 
and  adjust  return  spring.  Reload,  relay,  and  i 


Probable  Cause. 

( a ) Erap  t y ma g a z i n e 

(b)  Miss- fire  or  space  in  magazine. 

(c)  Too  weak  a return  spring. 


Method  of  preparation  with  dummies. 

(a)  Put  on  empty  magazine  with  cocking  handle  forward. 

(b)  Load  and  press  the  trigger. 

fc)  Weaken  return  spring, load  and  press  the  trigger. 
'When  the  ITo . 1 has  done  (b),  the  instructor 
says:  After  a few  founds  the  gun. .stops  there 

again. ” 


Preparation  for  Range  Purposes. 

fa)  Put  on  magazine  with  only  two  or  three  rounds  in  it. 

fb)  leave  an  empty  space  in  magazine. 

fc)  Weaken  return  spring  and  place  three  or  four 

dummies  at  intervals  in  the  magazine. 


Remedy  of  Stoppage 

£.  if,  after  trying  Ifb),  the  gun  at- ill  does  not  fire,  remove 
.magazine,  pull  back  cocking  handle,  watch  ejection  opening,  | 
and  press  the  trigger. 

fa)  If  a round  is  ejected,  shsnge  the  piston  rod, reload, 

relay,  and  fire. 

fb)  If  no  round  is  ejected,  examine  pawls  and  pawl 

springs,  and  replace  where  necessary.  Reload, 
relay,  and  fire. 


Probable  Cause. - 

fa)  Broken,  iv  iiker. 


fb)  Damage^,  jswls,  weak  or  'managed  pawl  springs. 

Method  of  prerft'  rc-ion  with  dummies. 

(a)  Load  aic.  press  the  trigger.  After  the  Ro.l  has 
1(b)  tec  instructor  s vp'. . 11  dun  does  not  fire.” 


done 


STOPPAGES  (3) 


1. 


"?r  CDarat  ion  TOT*  X*  an  P G OUrpOSGS. 

"ta,i"Tvs*-  two  da  tv • * e s'  t o ge t her  in  the  magazine. 
(::)  Af-  wild  dummies. 


R g m €•  a y o £ S b c up  a g e . 
xp  after  trying  magazine 


rigtn  c ? 

handle  >• 


• r ~n i j'v  0 rna ; : a z in' 


ooekink  handle  will  not  come 
> and  again  pull  hack  cocking 


t r, ) j-3  the  cocking  hanole  new  comes  hack  with  normal 
roe  1st  one  e ""pi  ess  he  trigger,  reload  with  new 
r^' 3 v"7* «ct i-7, i no  * i? © J-gi a7"  j 3,310  j ire  o 

(h)  If°res  1st- sn.ee  is  still  felt  when  pulling  hack  the 
cookin^  handle,  use  the  woolen  handle  or  strap, 
and  mi^l  sharm  y to  the  rear.  See  that  the  empty 
clo  1 ejc=tia  and  press  the  trigger.  Reload, 
r e 3 ay , and  fir e a 

% 

Probable  cause, 

fa)  Damaged  magazine, 

fb)  Hard  extraction  due  to  expansion  of  empty  case, or 
dirt  or  rust  in  the  chamber. 

Method  of  preparation  with  dummies,. 

fa)  At  bo oh  Jo,  1 clip  in  front  of  magazine  immediate- 
ly to  the  left  of  the  ho ay , Load  and  press  the 

(h)  Rut  a slightly  bulged  empty  case  in  the  chamber 
and  press  the  trigger,  hut  magazine  on  post. 

Pre  par  at  ion  for  r ang  e p u rp  owes.  . 

fa)  Attach  Ho,  1 clip  to  left  of  magazine,  (it  is 
nor.  advisable  to  set  up  chis  stoppage. ) 

fb)  Pur  a slightly  bulged  dummy  in  the  magazine. 


2nd  Position.-  Cocking  handle  not  further  hack 

than  trigger. 

Remedy  of  Stoppage, 

Pull  hack  cocking  handle,  if  necessary  using  wooden  handle 
or  strap.  Examine  ejected  roam, 

(a)  If  a bulged  cartridge  or  a good  round  with  the 

front  half  of  a separation  adhering  to  it,  relay, 
and  fire  . 

(h)  If  a good  round,  unload  without  firing  and.  use 
the  clearing  plug,  Reload , relay,  and  fire. 

If  no  clearing  plug  is  available,  immediately  in- 
crease the  tension  of  the  return  spring,  reload  ar 
press  the  trigger  , puli  back  the  cocking  handle, 
when  th?  separation  will  probably  come  out  on  the 
nose  c:.  the  round  ejected.  If  so,  unload,  read- 
just, r 3 turn  spring,  reload,  relay,  and  fire. 

Rote,-  If  this  method  fails,  if  is  possible  to  remove  the 

separation  by  taking  off  the  body  end  using  a standard 
303  c 1 oar  i r y;  p lug  . 


(If  a succession  or  separation 


change  the  holt,) 


STOPPAGES 


A- 7 


Pr  cbab  lo  C aus  e , 


■txr abed  case  which  comes  cut 


. 7 0 '.l  ’.iCl  it 


(b)  Load  gun.  Place  the 
the  chamber  and  ease 
until  the  extractors 


Preparation  for  range  purposes. 

(a)  Place  a bulged  dummy  in  the  magazine , 

(b)  Pile  a groove  round  a live  cartridge  and  place  it 
in  the  magazine. 


3rd  Position.-  Cocking  handle  further  back  than  the 

trigger . 

Remedy  of  Stoppage. 

Examine  ejection  opening. 

1.  If  clear  pull  back  cocking  hendl  relay  and  fire. 

fa)  If,  when  the  trigger  is  pressed,  the  gun  stops 

there  again  after  a few  rounds } pull  back  the  cock- 
ing handle  and  apply  safety  catch.  Take  out  the 
gas  regulator,  depress  the  safety  catch  and  press 
the  trigger.  Replace  the  gas  regulator  with  the 
large  hole  to  the  rear,  reload,  relay,  and  fire. 
(Eo,  2 manipulates  the  gas  regulator.) 

(b)  If,  on  the  trigger  being  pressed  the  cocking  handle 


gbes  only  s3 ightly  forward  and  stops  in  the  same 
position,  remove  magazine  and  butt,  ease  back 


cocking  handle  and  remove  the  body  cover  and  round 
from  the  cartridge  opening.  Replace  cartridge  guide 
spring.  Reload,  relay,  and  fire. 

(c)  If  little  or  no  resistance  is  felt  when  pulling  back 
the  cocking  handle,  unload  without  firing,  test  and 
adjust  the  return  spring,  and  if  it  is  broken,  re- 
place it.  Reload,  ielay,  and  fire, 

(d)  If  cocking  handle  cannot  be  -pulled  right  back,  ease 
it  to  the  roar  and  remove  magazine,  pull  back  cock- 
ing handle,  put  on  rew  magazine,  relay  and  fire. 

Probable  cause. 

1 and  (a)  Hard  extraction  of  friction  in  gas  cylinder 
or  moving  Darts, 

fb)  Weak  or  broken  cartridge  guide  spring* 

(c)  Weak  or  broken  spring. 

(id)  Damaged  Magazine. 


A-8 


STOPPAGE  ; 5) 


1. 

Put 

h 

O ! 

YS  ' 

ma  g 

n 17 
c.  ^ 

3 ne 

, P1'-- 

T 

C 

Q ,*» 

king  ban 

d! 

le  three- 

the 

wa 

y 

"bn 

.ck 

an 

1 ers 

0 

f 

n v»‘ 

vrr j v*  r: 

V >f  Cv.u  v-v.  -5 

fa) 

Set 

up 

8/ 

'f.  0 

r 'J 

, ark 

af 

*7  P 

r the 

Ho 

« 

1 ha: 

3 d< 

and 

sa 

V3 

, T * 

r n 
Jt.  _L 

ter 

a fc 

w 

or. 

nds , t 

b e 

g1 

m st( 

Ops 

fb) 

Rome 

ve 

n n 

rt 

x i 

ige 

g Cl  i u 

0 

"0  _ 

’ag , 

lea 

d 

, and 

earn 

hand 

lie 

TO 

rv- 

8 X 

CL  '« 

(lot 

l' 

0 

be 

c > 

OC  a 

r-P 

L 

re  quo 

at  I 

(o) 

P ut 

nag 

3.  Z 

ne 

Oil 

rest . 

T f 

L 

iase  t 

rr 

- 

on  of 

-*  ■»  0 

J.  V*. 

and 

re  a 

T V> 

or 

ib  I 

,e  p 

arts 

Tv 

1)  C 

.ta 

O 0 G I'm  1- 

^ •‘'Ll- 

Ij. 

nudle 

R C} 

_L  l - 

posi 

■> .] 

n , 

fd) 

Put 

ma  g 

ct  3 

:Lr 

< rj 

on 

pest 

rj. 

,T  I 

y 

i.tt  acl* 

Ho . 

2 c 3. 

j_T) 

front  o 

■i- 1 

i j. 

"0 

" , sp(  p, 

p 7. 1 

.1  i . 

vrr*. ; 

. a ia  t e 

, “1  r 

0 

n the 

le 

Full 

. ba 

.ok 

; 1. 

/be 

cocking 

hs 

i far 

1 0 a V 

I//  w.  > J- 

t w 

;ers  cf 


curing 


Lt.n 


'd 


it  fcrwa: 


Preparation  for  range  purposes, 
fa)  and  1.  Cannot  be  set  up. 

(h)  Hot  to  be  set  up. 

( o ) Hot  to  be  set  up. 

fd)  Attach  Uoj  2 clip  to  the  left  of  the  magazine,  (it  is  not 
advisable  to  set  up  this  stoppage. 

Remedy  of  Stoppage. 

2,  If  empty  case  in  chamger s pull  back  cocking  handle  and  raise 
safety  catch.  Remove  the  magazine  and  push  back  the  round 
in  the  cartridge  opening.  Remove  empty  case  from  chamber 
by  means  of  clearing  rod  and  examine  it.  Repress  safety 
catch  and  ease  cocking  hand] e forward  till  the  round  falls 
into  the  body..  Remove  if  arc.  press  the  trigger.  Ifhis  round 
must  not  be  used;} 

fa)  If  the  rim  of  the  rim  cf  the  emp*'~y  case  is  cut  by  both 
extractors,  reload,  relay,  and  fire* 

( b ) If  its  rim  is  cut  by  only  one  extractor  or  not  at  all, 
change  the  bolt,  reload,  relay,  and  fire. 

Probable  cause. 

fa)  Hard  extraction, 

fb)  One  or  both  extractors  weak  or  broken. 


Method  of  preparation  with  Rummies. 

(a)  Load  and  place  an  empty  case  with 
in  the  chamber.  Ease  the  cocking 
fb)  Load  and  place  an  empty  case  with 
its  rim  in  the  chamber.  Ease  the 


two  not he os  in  its  rim 
hand 1 o for  war d . 
one  or  two  not he os  in 
cock i ng  handl e f o rwar d . 


Preparation  for  range  purposes. 

fa)  Cannot  bo  sot  up.  ( 

fb)  Cannot  bo  sot  up.  j 

j 

Remedy  of  Stoppage, 

3,  -If  an  empty  case  is  found  in  the  body  on  the  face  of  the  bol 
remove  magazine  and  butt,  Rraw' back  trigger  guard  and  remove 
body  cover.  Rraw  out  the  bolt,  clear  the  empty  case  off 
its  face,  and^romove  live  round.  Change  the  ejector  ana  re- 
assemble the  parts  with  the  cocking  handle  in  the  same 
position  as  when  the  return  siring  was  disconnected . Reload, 
relay,  and  fire. 


STOPPAGES  (6) 


Probable  Cause. 

(3)  Broken  ejector. 

Method  of  preparation  with  dummies. 

(3)  Load  and  place  an  empty  case  in  the  body  m iront 
q -f  -thQ  ejector.  Ease  tne  cocking  h<uidle  v/ell 
-r  orv/ari  (In  this  instance  the  empty  case  will 
not  come  out  on  the  fees  of  the  holt  and  must  he 
removed  from  the  body. , 


:ote,-  Thi 


stoppage  maj  also  be  set  up  as  follows 


Remove  the  ejector,  put  an  empty  case  in  the 
chamber  and  press  the  trigger.  Load  taking 
care  that  the  empty  case  does  not  roll  olx  tne 
face  of  the  bolt".  Ease  the  cocking  handle 
well  forward* 


Preparation  for  range  purposes. 
(5)  Remove  the  ejector. 


flr 


I1 


. 


-• 


CADET. SCHOOL  OF  MILITARY  AVIATION 
UNIVERSITY  OF  ..ILLINOIS:. 

Machine  Gun  _ Operation. 

Faring  Low is  Gun, 


OPERATION  OF  THE  GUN 

The  gun  is  operated  automatically  by  trapping  a small  portion 
of  the  live  powder  gases  before  the  bullet  leaves  the  muzzle,  and 
causing  this  portion  of  gas  to  impinge  against  the  head  of  a ^free- 
moving  piston,  which  is  thus  driven  back  against  the  force  of  a 
spring  and  is  returned  by  this  spring  when  the  force  of  the  gases 
is  spent.  The  motion  of  the  piston  is  utilizec  bo  unlock  the 
breech  bolt,  eject  the  empty  shell,  feed  in  a new  cartridge,  relock 
the  breech  bolt,  and  fire. 

To  put  gun  into  action . - When  a loaded  magazine  is  dropped 
into  place  over  the  magazine  post,  and  the  charging  handle  pulled 
to  the  rear  as  far  as  it  will  go  and  then  released,  the  gun  is  put 
into  action  by  a pull  on  the  trigger,  and  continues  to  fire  until 
the  finger  pressure  on  the  trigger  is  released  or  until  the 
magazine  is  empthy. 

Single  shots.-  When  the  trigger  is  pulled  once  and  very 
quickly  released  a single  shot  is  fired  and  this  may  be  repeated 
at  will  until  the  magazine  is  empty. 

Semi-Automatic  fire.-  Within  the  limits  of  the  magazine 
capacity  the  gun  continues  to  fire  so  long  as  the  trigger  is  held 
back  and  stops  firing  whenever  the  tirgger  is  released.  It  follows 
therefore  that  the  operator  may  at  will  fire  shots  either  singly 
or  in  groups  of  two,  three,  four,  or  of  any  number  up  to  the  full 

magazine  capacity  of  forty  seven  cartridges. 

Full  automatic  fire.-  Continued  pressure  on  the  trigger 
results  in  full  automatic  fire,  which  need  be  interrupted  only 
by  the  four-second  intervals  required  to  replace  emptied  magazine 
by  loaded  ones. 

ACTION  OF  THE  GUN 

Starting  with  the  gun  in  the  "ready-to-feed " position,  as  shown 
in  Plate  1,  when  the  rtrigger  (30)  is  pulled  and  held  back  the  action 
is  as  follows 

Actuated  by  the  force  of  the  mainspring  (55)  acting  through 
the  gear  (52)  and  the  rack  (72),  the  operating  rod  moves  forward, 
carrying  with  it  the  bolt  (37),' 

As  it  moves  forward  the  front  top  edge  of  the  bolt  (37),  strikir 
the  lower  edge  of  the  rim  of  the  cartridge  resting  in  position  in 
£he  feedway,  drives  the  cartridge  forward  and  downward  into  the 


rear-end  ofi  the  bolt  (37)  emerge  from  their  guide  slots  into 
space  in  the  receiver  (26)  known  as  the  locking  recess.  The 


fad --of  'the- -forward  movement  the'  resistance  - lugs  on -.the 

the  locking  recess.  The  bolt 

(37)  is  now  free  to  turn  and  lock,  which  movement  is  accomplished  by 
the  action  of  the  operating  post  (m)  against  ihe  shoulder  oi  the 
cam  slot  in  the  bolt.  As  the  bolt  closes  behind  the  cartridge  in 
the  chamber  the  extractors  (45)  take  their  grip  upon  the  rim  of  the 


cartridge  case. 

During  the  forward  movement  of  the  bolt  and  operating  rod,  the 
magazine  has  been  held  by  the  rebound  pawl  (29),  and  has  not  moved. 

The  feed  operating  arm  (34),  actuated  by  the  feed  operating 
stud  (31)  carried  by  the  bolt  (37),  has  been  returned  to  the  right 
in  position  to  take  the  next  cartridge. 

When  the  bolt  has  fully  turned  into  the  locked  position  the 
striker  (50  is  free  to  drive  forward  and  prime  the  cartridge. 

Wheim  the  cartridge  is  fired,  no  action  takes  place  in  the  gun 
mechanism  until  the  bullet  reaches  the  gas  port  (a)  in  the  barrel  (76). 

While  the  bullet  is  passing  from  the  gas  port  to  the  muzzle, 
a small  portion  of  the  live  powder  gas  enters  from  the  bore  through 
the  gas  port  into  the  gas  regulator  cup  (34),  where  it  deposits  any 
solid  matter  that  it  carries  with  it.  The  clean  gas  expands  through  an 
aperture  in  the  gas  regulator  cup  (84)  and  a corresponding  aperture 
in  the  wall  of  the  gas  chamber  (82),  against  the  head  of  the  piston 
(79). 

The  force  of  the  gas  drives  the  piston  to  the  rear  against  the 
force  of  the  mainspring  and  during  this  mo verne fat  the  following  actions 
take  place . 

The  piston  (79),  a cting  through  the  rack  (72),  on  the  gear  (52), 
winds  up  the  mainspring  (55). 

The  operating  post  (m),  acting  on  the  side  of  the  cam  slot  in 
the  bolt  (37),  rotates  the  bolt  sufficiently  to  unlock  it,  then  carries 
the  bolt  straight  back  to  the  rear. 

The  extractors  (45)  extract  the  empty  cartridge  case,  which  is 
thrown  out  by  the  ejector  (21),  actuated  by  the  feed  operating  stud 
(31)  striking  against  its  rear  end. 

The  feed  operating  stud  (31),  carried  by  the  bolt  (37)  and 
acting  on  the  sides  of  the  channel  in  the  under  side  of  the  feed 
operating  arm  (34),  moves  the  arm  to  the  left,  carrying  a cartridge 
from  the  magazine  under  the  cartridge  guide  spring  (40)  and  into  the 
feeding  position  in  the  feedway  on  top  of  the  receivdr  (26). 

The  feed  pawl  (35),  carried  by  the  feed  operating  arm  (34) 
and  acting  on  the  outside  wall  of  the  magazine  pan  (43),  carries  the 
magazine  through  a partial  revolution  sufficient  to  bring  the  next 
cartridge  in  position.  The  magazine  is  held  in  its  new  position  by 
the  stop  pawl  (28)  and  the  rebound  pawl  (29)  and  does  not  move  during 
the  forward  movement  of  the  other  parts . 

The  foregoing  operations  are  all  completed  by  the  impulse  given 
to  the  piston  by  the  direct  action  of  the  gas.  The  last  of  this  impn]s 
is  expended  when  the  operating  rod  and  bolt  come  to  rest  against  the"-" 
butt  tang  (5)  at  the  extreme  end  of  their  movement  to  the  rear.  The 
forward  movement  t&en  begins  and  the  cycle  of  operations  is  repeated 
for  each  shot  until  the  magazine  is  empty,  when  the  parts  stop  at 
the  end  of  the  forward  movement,  with  the  bolt  locked  behind  the 
empty  chamber. 


- 


During  the  firing,  if  at  any  time  the  trigger  is  released  before 
the  magazine  has  been  emptied,  the  gun  stops  at  the  beginning  o 1 - 
forward  stroke,  in  the  "ready-to -f eed"  position.  In  this  position 
action  is  open  and  the  chamber  empty,  tut  firing  is  resumed  on 

pulling  the  trigger. 

P b GENERAL  ROTS 

Before  firing  - See  to  it  that  the  bore  is  clear,  that  the 
work!  n^  "par  t s"~are  ^proper  iy  lubricated  with  good  mineral^  oil  and  move 
freely°and  that  the  tension  of  the  mainspring  is  sufficient  to  avoid 

' ~§t  gas  regulator  cup  w ith  the  aperture  marked  ’S'  pointing  to 
the  rear . Use  "L"  only  when  unusual  conditions  demand  an  increase  in 

power. 


After 

ip 


fir 


rg.«*  See  that  the  gun  is  immediately  unloaded  and 
that  tne . Pore  /'working  parts  and  bearing  surfaces  are  carefully 
examined,  cleaned  and  properly  lubricated  Rs  soon  as  possible  * 
especially  important  to  oil  the  piston  head  and  the 
the  gas  cylinder;  and  to  remove,  oil  and  replace  the  gas 

cup. 

found  raised  on  any  v/orking  part  should  be  removed 

on  a bearing  surface  smoothed  down  with  fine  emery 

or  an  oil  stone. 


It  is 
inside  of 
regulator 
Burrs 

and  roughening 


Care  c 
clean 


,-p  mn  - after  firing.  Eefcre  putting  the  gas  chamber 
m,  cieaii  Tr6LiTah>5Tr"depos~rr"and^s lightly  oil  the  threads.  Clean 
the  cylinder  with  the  wire  brush  and  finish  off  with  mop,  leaving 
cylinder  dry.  After  firing  500-6GQ  rounds  strip  the  gun  right  down. 
If "possible,  wash  the  body  with  boiling  water  and  thoroughly  dry 
before  oiling.  All  frictional  parts  to  be  smeared  with  oil,  examining 
all  parts  during  assembly.  Examine  return  s pring ^ and  oil  th 
Test  pinion  pawl.  Examine  teeth  and  rack.  Oil  piston  head . 
striker  post  and  striker.  Clean  extra  Cud  s» 


hub 
Examine 


Cleaning  barrel  o Wipe  out  alj_  fouling  with  rod#  Examine  the 
barreT~~an3^"F"baaTy— corroded  - black  and  dirty  in  grooves  - use  the 
double  pull-through.  Gauze  should  be  on  the  right  w ay  - S shape  - ano 
oiled . 


Corrosion  and  Erosion.  Latter  is  due  to  carelessness  in 
unnecessary  wear.  Leave  barrel  oiled.  After  tiring  500  rounds 
use  boiling  water,  dry  and  oil. 

Use  double  pull  through  if  the  barrel  is  nickelled. 

Dry  the  barrel  before  firing. 

Care  of  magazine.  Keep  magazine  in  a dry  place.  Examine  to 
see  if" "they  are  distorted.  Oil  round  centre  plate  and  latch. 


' ' 


A3 


j >%  &$: 


PREPARING  LEWIS  GUN  FOR  FLIGHT. . , CARE  CF  GUN  AFTER  FLIGHT 
Points  to  be  Observed  Before  Taking  a G' ?u  up  on  a Machine^ 

fa)  See  that  the  gas  regulator  is  at  "L",  by  nL"  is  meant 
that  the  letter  nL,T  should  he  pointing  towards  the  hreech  end  oi 
the  gun,  so  that  the  large  gas  hole  is  in  use. 

This  is  essential  for  air  work. 

(h)  See  that  the  handle  of  the  fixing  pin  of  the  mounting 
yoke  is  on  the  right  and  towards  the  breech  end  of  the  gun. 

(c)  See  that  the  cartridge  guide  spring  i s in  correctly  and 
will  function  as  a spring.  The  lip  of  the  spring  may  he  on  the 
wrong  side  of  the  remainder  of  the  spring  and  cause  it  not  to 
"give"  when  the  cartridge  comes  under  it.  This  will  break  the 
spring  very  quickly. 

(d)  Feel  the  feed  and  stop  pawls  to  see  that  they  are  work- 
ing freely. 

fe)  See  th&t  the  deflector  hag  is  firmly  and  correctly 
fixed.  If  necessary  have  it  tightened  by  knocking  the  clamp  pin 
around  with  a hammer. 

(f)  See  that  the  fixed  sight  is  on  and  firmly  fixed. 

jfg)  See  that  the  cocking  handle  is  securely  fastened  and  is 
on  the  left.  Pull  the  handle  outwards  at  right  angles  to  the  gun. 
Gases  have  occurred  of  the  handle  not  having  oeen  put  right  in  and 
so  flying  out  during  the  firing. 

(h)  Test  the  mainspring  to  see  that  it  is  of  11-12  lhs.  This 
is  for  R.F.C.  purposes.  It  may  he  necessary  in  the  air  during 
extremely  cold’ weather  to  reduce  the  spring  to  9-10  lhs.,  in  order 
to  counterbalance  a slow  backward  movement  of  the  recoiling  por- 
tion due  to  clogged  oil,  hut  this  low  weight  should  not  he  made  a 
rule  for  all  times  as  under  normal  conditions  the  recoiling  por- 
tion will  jar  on  the  rear  of  the  gun,  if  the  spring  is  at  a lower 
tension  than  11  lhs. 

(i)  Work  the  recoiling  port  Lon  backwards  several  times  let- 
ting the  handle  go  each  time  in  order  to  ascertain  that  the  main 
spring  and  working  parts  are  in  order. 

The  trigger  should  he  kept  pressed  during  this  operation. 

(j)  If  possible  fire  20  rounds  into  the  ground  in  order  to 
test  thoroughly  the  working  of  the;  gun.  This  should  always  he 
possible.  No  special  pit  is  necessary  as  a gun  may  he  fired  at  an 
angle  of  20-30  degrees  and  no  ricochet  will  result  providing  the 
ground  is  not  too  stony.  If  it  in,  a,  1”  board  may  he  placed  where 
the  bullets  will  strike,  this  will  prevent  splinters  flying  around 


A4 


Points  to  be  Observed  after  the  Gun  has  been  Returned  from  a Pligh 

Plight . 

fa)  Gun  should  be  taken  apart  and  thoroughly  cleaned. 

The  cylinder  should  not  be  removed  until  the  gun  has  fired  from 
500-600  rounds.  The  reason  for  this  is  that  the  threads  on  the 
cylinder  and  gas  chamber  are  very  fine,  and  constant  stripping 
will  cause  loss  of  gas. 

(Ho  spares  of  these  are  provided). 

The  only  reason  for  removing  the  cylinder  is  to  be  able  to 
clear  the  carbonization  from  the  holes  in  the  barrel  and  gas 
chamber  which  would  check  the  sufficient  entry  of  gas  to  cause 
the  gun  toofunction  correctly.  The  extractors  must  always  be 
removed  for  cleaning  purposes  after  the  gun  has  been  fired  but 
not  at  other  times  as  they  are  liable  to  weaken* 

The  cylinder  must  be  cleaned  -out  with  the  wire  brush  and 
mop  provided  but  it  does  not  require  oiling.  It  should  be  cleaned 
through  every  morning  with  the  brush  and  mop. 

If  oil  is  in  the  cylinder  when  firing  takes  place  the  carbon 
from  the  gases  will  mix  with  the  oil  and  form  a thick  compound. 
This  compound  will  "Set"  quickly  and  if  any  time  elapses  between 
combats  in  the  air  it  is  liable  to  ympede  the  free  movement  of  the 
piston  and  so  cause  the  gun  to  stop. 

Examine  striker  post  and  see  that  it  is  not  undtfly  worn. 

If  it  is,  immediately  look  for  undue  friction  in  the  working 
parts  or  mis-shapen  magazines. 

(b)Magazines  to  be  emptied,  examined  and  tested  before  yo 
being  refilled. 

fc)  Mainspring  to  be  left  at  correct  working  weight  before 
gun  is  put  away,  as  if  it  is  left  at  too  great  a tension  it  is 
liable  to  break  during  cold  weather. 


During  a Flight. 

During  a flight  it  is  a good  plan  to  work  the  recoiling 
portions  backwards  and  forward  about  15-20  times  every  10  minutes 
in  order  to  free  the  recoiling  portions  in  case  they  may  be 
getting  clogged. 


K3  1-3  H-  p c+  CD  CO  03 


| 

A9 


STANDARD  TESTS  IN  MAC  NINE- 3 [JN  TRAINING 
PGR  ROYAL  FIXING  oORPS. 

These  tests  have  been  drawn  up  with  a view  to  enabling  an 
instructor  to  determine  if  a pupil  is  fit  at  the  end  of  a course 
in  a squadron  to  undergo  an  advanced  course  in  aerial  firing  at 
the  llaching-Gun  School,  Royal  Plying  Corps, 

75  percent  of  marks  in.  each  subject  should  be  obtained  ■>  i, 
before  a pupil  is  considered  satisfactory. 

TESTS 

1.' Prepare  Gun  for  Fir ing . (af Oiling).'  fb)  Assembling,  this 
includes  the  points  to  be  attended  to  b efore  t akin  a a gun  up  in  a 
machine,  (c)  Testing  ammunition,  (d)  Testing  magazines.  For  this 
test  all  available  gun  spares  should  be  upon  the  table. 

Instructor  to  deduct  marks  at  his  discretion. 

(15  marks.) 

. Tests  of  Stripping  --  (a)  Change  cartridge  guide  spring. 

Time  allowed,  10  seconds.  Gun  not  to  be  stripped  in  this  test. 

A dummy  cartridge  and  spare  cartridge  guide  spring  should  be  by 
the  pupil.  Gun  to  be  mounted  on  a tripod  and  ounil  seated  as  for 
firing.  fb)  Change  1 extractor.  Time  allowed)  1 minute  20  sec. 
Spring  must  be  at  correct  tension,  from  11  to  12  lbs.,  uoon  con- 
clusion of  Phis  test.  A dummy  cartridge  anc  spare  extractor  should 
le  by  die  pupil.  Gun  en  table.  (cjf  Change  return  spring. 

Time  allowed,  1 minute,  30  seconds. 

Spring  must  be  at  correct  tension  upon  conclusion  of  this  test. 

A dummy  cartridge  and  spare  return  spring,  with  spring  tension 
lowered , should  be  near  the  pupil.  Gun  on  table,  "(d)  Change  all 
above.  Time  allowed,  2 minutes.  A dummy  cartridge  and  spares 
necessary  to  be  near  pupil.  Gun  on  table. 
f20  marks  for  whole  of  these  tests  (a),  fb),  (c),  ()d)  . 

Points  to  be  deducted.  One  point  for  each  5 seconds  overtime 

i-n  each  of  TaT)  fb)',  Tc ) , or  (d),  One  point  for  every  fault  dis- 
covered when  oup'il  concludes  each  of  (a),(b),  Cc),  or  (&), 

Tests  of  drill  in  instructional  room  --  Changing  six  magazines, 
ix  empty  magazines  to  be  by  side  of  gun.  Gun  on  tripod,  pupil 
eated  for  firing.  Magazines  to  be  fitted  to  gun  one  by  one,  'fun 
o be  cocked,  aim  to  be  taken,  trigger  to  be  pressed,  immediate 
ction  to  be  gone  through  after  pressure  of  trigger  (without  tak- 
ng  eyes  off  mark)  and  magazines  to  be  removed. 

his  to  be  repeated  until  the  six  magazines  have  been  gone  through, 
ime  allowed,  1 minute. 

(25  marks) 


A10 


Points  to  be  no. ted  by  puoil.  (a)  Steam  lining  of  magazine  when 
fitting  it  or  removing  it.  fb)  Noting  if  magazine  is  on 
correctly,  (c)  Immediate  action  with  eye  on  object,  fd)  Un- 
loading at  end  of  test,  included  in  time  limit. 

Deduction  of  marks.  Cue  mark  po  be  deducted  for  each  error 
committed  under~TaT>  fb),  •{ d ) and  (d;« 

4.  Drill  on  range . - fa)  As  for  3,  but  if  a ,22-inch  Winchester 
automatic  rifle  can  be  obtained  it  should  be  fitted  to  gun  so 
that  the  trigger  cf  the  Lewis  gun  when  pressed  will  release  trig- 
ger of  . 22-inch  rifle. 

Both  guns  should  be  harmonized  so  that  aim  taken  with  the 
gunsights  directs  the  .22- inch  rifle  on  same  mark.  Magazine  cf' 
,22-inch  rifle  to  have  six  rounds  in  for  this  test. 

(25  marks) 

Procedure  as  in  3 , but  result  cf  aiming  to  be  seen  prac- 
tically by  strike  of  shot  on  target  at  10  yards.  Marks  to  be 
deducted  as  in  3 , and  also  1 mark  to  be  deducted  for  every  inch 
by  which  the  group  exceeds  4 inches  in  diameter.  A 

(b)  If  no  ,22-inch  rifle  is  obtainable,  the  same  tests  can  be 
carried  out  at  25  yards  with  ball  ammunition,  as  follows: - 
Six  magazines,  each  containing  one  round,  so  that  it  will  be  fed 
in  when  gun  is  cocked. 

Size  of  group,  4 inches.  Deduct  points  as  in  (a)  , but  twrc  marks 
to  be  deducted  for  every  inch  above  4 inches.  Time  allowed  in 
fa)  or  (b),  1 minute,  15  seconds. 

\ x 

5.  Mechanism.  --  Pupil  should  be  able' to  give  an  explanation  of 
thp  working* of  any  part  of  the  mechanism  of  the  gun.  Marks  to  bo 
deducted  at*  discretion  of  instructor. 

’ (10  marks) 

Bor  this  test,  gun  and  any  necessary  spares,  such  as  piston  rods, 
bolt,  etc.,  to  be  on  table  beside  gun.  Also  a magazine  and 
dummies , 

6.  Shooting.  --  Instructional  practice  at  25  yards  does  not  come 
into  tests. 

Glassification  practice,  250  yards.  --  10  rounds  ranging  at 
target  10  feet  bjf  3 feet.  100  rounds  applicat ion . 

E'ive  magazines,  each  containing  20  rounds,  to  be  fired  at  three 
targets.  10  feet  by  3 feet,  placed  side  oy  side.  Each  target  to 
have  vertical  spaces  marked  on  them,  20  Leches  apart.  Firer  to 
have  loaded  and  to  be  aiming.  Fire  to  commence  on  command  ,TFire". 
Targets  to  be  "searched”  from  one  end  to  the  other,  in  bursts  of 
10  rounds.  Time  limit,  1 minute  40  seconds;  but  firer  is  not  to 
be  told  if  he  is  exceeding  this  limit. 

Score  to  be  signalled--  Total  number  of  hits;  spaces  missed. 

f 15  marks) 


J 

' 

■■  :* 


A 11 


Deduction  --  Not  more  than  5 spaces  should  be  missed.  Two  marks 
to  be  deducted  for  every  space  masse d<  One  mark  to  be  deducted 
for  every  5 seconds  beyond  time  limit a 

As  all  squadrons  are  not  able  (o  obtain  a 250  -yard 
range  this  practice  j s not  always  possible  and  may  be  carried 
out  at  Machine  Gun  School. 

7.  Stoppages  on  10  or  25  yards  range.  Three  magazines,  each 
containing  10  rounds.  Two  stoppages  arranged  in  each  magazine. 

(20  marks) 

Deductions,  --  One  point  to  be  deducted  for  each  error  in 
application  of  immediate  action  or  remedy. 


